Author's Preface

Let me begin this series of meditations by stating that these are topics I have contemplated deeply. There are several reasons why I am writing this series of meditations, one of which is to organize my thoughts on this topic for my own sanity. I invest a significant amount of time in debating these ideas, both within myself and with others. This is not a strictly scientific inquiry. I am not a biologist, nor am I an expert in the field of evolution. However, I am someone who can explain, construct, and design complex systems using logic and reason. Therefore, exploring such systems is my natural inclination. With that said, let us begin.

Introduction

There are few questions that have intrigued philosophers, scientists, and thinkers more than how morality itself came to be. In his Critique of Practical Reason, Kant wrote, "Two things fill the mind with ever-increasing wonder and awe, the more often and the more intensely the mind of thought is drawn to them: the starry heavens above me and the moral law within me." Morality remains a mystery, a source of wonder, and an enduring curiosity, rekindled by the scientific revolution and the Enlightenment. In these meditations, we will delve into the psychology, biology, and axioms upon which morality rests, to the best of my ability.

The Scope of Exploration

This exploration, as it unfolds, will shed light on the depths of human consciousness but also on the depths of existence itself, beyond our societal constructs and human culture. This exploration will delve into our scientific understanding of the origin of life, our last universal common ancestor, LUCA, and by necessity, we will explore the concept of value and its origin.

Foundations of Understanding

We will begin not with ethics or moral paradigms but, rather, with the axioms of evolutionary biology—the theory that has shed light on the pathways to life's development. These axioms provide the groundwork for the narrative of our existence.

The Essence of Life

At the core of evolutionary biology are two fundamentals that provide the functionality of the process: survival and propagation. These axioms drive the processes of natural selection and adaptation. They are mainstays that keep the complex systems of life on course. Yet beneath lies a more baffling concept that we will also be exploring, which is the ability to accurately self-replicate.

The Mystery of Self-Replication

The process of accurate self-replication establishes the essence of propagation. This process is remarkable and inspires awe and wonder. Not only due to its extraordinary precision, but also because it constantly occurs around us, and within us. It operates not only as a biological function but also as a psychological one. It is a fundamental pattern of life. In this lies a mystery of great magnitude because of biological evolution's reliance on the process. This means that the process of accurate self replication must exist outside the complex mechanisms of biological evolution, at least conceptually.

Implicit Value

The universal concept of self-replication leads to yet another phenomenon: it is a deep truth and fundamental principle woven into the fabric of existence: value. The act of self-replication implicitly drives the process of self-perpetuation through time. It is a rudimentary form of valuing one's existence. This revelation opens the door to a new realm of questions. Most intriguingly, is there an inherent value system woven into existence that transcends biology and evolution?

The Genesis of Value

To answer this and to maintain perspective, I seek out parallels and patterns in the enigma of the origins of life. This task is challenging, considering that accurate self-replication is not just a hallmark of life; it is a prerequisite for the emergence of life. We will consider various theories, including the possibility that the initial phases of life might have entailed self-replicating chemicals like RNA, which contain genetic code and catalyze chemical reactions—a fascinating look at what could be the genesis of the value system in life.

Venturing to the Cosmos
But this, of course, does not get to the root of the issue; that is the genesis of the process of self-replication. How did value and its implications engrain themselves into existence? These questions lead me to explore the very heart of the cosmos.

Complexity of Morality

I will not pretend that this exploration is merely a scientific inquiry. The further I delve into the depths of the origin of life, morality, and these axiomatic principles, the more difficult the principles will be to "prove" empirically. Thus, we will be venturing into the realm of speculation. Accurate self-replication with an implicit drive for propagation implies a value system that predates complex organisms. I will dare to speculate that this value system played a role in the emergence of life.

Conclusion: The Endless Quest

As we explore morality, we must also acknowledge that it is an ongoing exploration from both ancient and modern times. While survival and propagation are foundational principles of morality, we have discovered that morality is a complex and intricate system, and that these axioms comprise more principles and values that we are constantly realizing. These realizations stem from many factors, including culture, society, and cognitive development.

This will not be a quest for easy answers, nor do I expect to find any easy answers. It is curiosity that will propel us forward, not empirical knowledge. It may well be that these topics transcend understanding in the empirical sense, but the journey beckons us still. 

This exploration will reveal the beauty and wonder of life. It will provide us with insight into the mysteries of morality and the complex role it plays in our lives.

Join me.