Robert Stewart Principles of Existence

Principles of Existence: God, Democracy and Evolution' is a compelling, enlightening, and entertaining attempt to accurately describe what it means to be alive in this universe.

The book opens with a very readable history of everything from the birth of the universe and the evolution of humankind through to the building of civilization and the discovery of advanced technologies like genetic engineering and artificial intelligence. After speculating about designer babies and thinking computers, the book then considers the possibility that there may be some kind of purpose behind the evolution of a humanlike consciousness. This leads to the question of whether at the very highest level of reality there may exist a governing spiritual force rather than meaningless chaos or a mindless cosmic machine.

The reader is then presented with a series of compelling narratives that explore the many ways in which our traditional religions and philosophies have answered the question of human purpose. No sacred myth has been spared in an effort to uncover the most likely sequence of events that led to the formation of Judaism, Greek philosophy, Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam. This enlightening foray into ancient history concludes with a brutally honest analysis of metaphysical worldviews and systems of cooperative morality.

The book then gets political as it explores the recent history of democracy, focusing on the struggle for political and religious freedom - from colonialism and the French and American revolutions to the formation of the United Nations. Rather than glorifying warmongers, the book focuses instead on the underlying motivations for global conflict, showing political history to be mostly a blind and greed-driven contest for wealth and power. From this position, the book examines modern day problems like third world dictatorships and religious fanaticism, as well as discussing issues like population growth and birth control.

In the closing chapters, the book reflects on the emptiness of western secular materialism, and explores humanism as both a worldview and a political movement in the form of human rights. After demolishing conservatism and dismissing post-modern scepticism, the author attempts to establish a viable alternative to both moral relativism and the lingering influence of traditional religious morality. He proposes that by treating consciousness as a fundamental force of nature, we can derive a theoretical foundation for justice based upon the democratic decisions of free and educated people. The book closes by speculating about the social and political reforms needed to bring about lasting global peace and prosperity.

'Principles of Existence' offers a stimulating interpretation of science, philosophy, politics, and religion. Its fearless myth busting and everyday language make it a thoroughly enjoyable book to read.