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We all have an interest in human progress. Whether it be the accumulation of knowledge, removal of disease, increase in prosperity, decline in murder, or a wealth of other worthy aims, we want to see human life get better over time. However, for some people, being 'part of history' or devoting oneself to human advancement is the source of their meaning in life. It is the 'something' that transcends their own value and grants them purpose for their lives. Without it, they think their life would be pointless. The view that human progress can provide meaning in life goes back at least as far as Hegel. Hegel’s view is complicated. But one can grasp the idea by thinking about the nature of change. Hegel thought that change was due to conflict. First, a conflict emerges between two ideas or forces. Then, the conflict works its way out. Once the conflict resolves, another situation is created in which new conflicts are present. The process of change is a 'dialectical...

Scientists notoriously struggle with an explanation for the origins and destiny of life on earth. In the past week or so some novel suggestions have emerged. As for origins, life spread from other planets - we descend from aliens ( here ). The primordial soup theory might be correct, it just might not be an earth bound soup. In a galaxy far far away a soup produced an organism that hopped on an asteroid and traveled to other planets, including our own, and infected them with living things. Of course this doesn't explain life; it merely tries to tell a convincing story as to how rocks don't breathe and animals do. If "life" is simply being animate, then this story is all we need. But if human life has intrinsic worth, is purposeful and is not merely matter on the move, one still needs to explain what it is about an alien critter that can explain that kind of life.