Saturday’s piece on the meaning of life was purely satire, but I have been continuing to think about that topic, and would like to argue that the meaning of life is in fact the accumulation of knowledge.
Now, before you start jumping down my throat, let me clarify, as far as the individual goes there are many causes that are very meaningful, such as relationships, family, saving lives, contributing to society, etc, which are worthy of providing someone with their primary life meaning. So I am not talking about it on an individual level. However, on the national and societal level, I would argue that it is the only way that the life of a society can have a future.

Science is all about accumulating knowledge, education is the dissemination of that accumulation, and technology is the application of it. Each new discovery is based on the last, thus reliant on all of the accumulation that preceded it. For example, right now you are using a computer which was built using techniques and materials that were developed through a long string of scientific discoveries and technological advances, i.e. knowledge accumulations going back hundreds of years. Beyond snazzy technology that has enabled you to read this blog, does this accumulation of knowledge really make a difference in our lives?

The life expectancy in the developed world has more than doubled over the last few centuries, infant mortality rates have been slashed greatly, and both the standard and quality of life has improved. This has all been brought about through the systematic accumulation of knowledge about things such as medicine, agriculture, transportation, and information technology.

We won WWII not due to a greater resolve, moral high ground, or by a numerical advantage, we won because of new technologies and tactics. When the Germans had the edge, they were winning, once we took the edge we used to it cut them down, a phenomenon was even more drastic in the Pacific Theater. The Cold War was even more obviously won through the US having the technological advantage. It has been known for many decades that who ever controls the air controls the battlefield. It’s also well known that the way to air superiority is through having the most advanced aircraft, best tactics, and the most highly trained pilots.

When the day comes that Earth will no longer support humanity, likely due to our abuse of technology, it will be scientific discoveries and technological advances that will save us, that is if we can advance fast enough.

For a society to survive, the accumulation of knowledge must continue. For that to happen science and education must be the highest priority. So as it turns out, the accumulation of knowledge is the communal meaning of life.