False Patterns

As human beings, we attempt to find patterns. We are pattern-seeking species. Recognizing patterns is beneficial for our survival, so why would this capability be discarded? Finding the purpose for something, the cause and subsequent effect, has allowed us to develop useful food gathering/hunting techniques until they've eventually reached epic proportions (see our genetic modifications of food to produce as much as possible for our constantly expanding populations). Our ability to recognize patterns has allowed us to develop complex systems of communication, of transportation, of social interaction.

It's no surprise that we would find pattern where there otherwise would not be a pattern. We actively seek them out, even if we are not completely aware of the processes our brains are engaged in. Even though we have the capability to consciously participate in critical thinking to determine if these patterns are, indeed, legitimate, many people are convinced solely upon their personal perceptions or anecdotal evidence.

Time and again humans have been misled by their pattern-seeking behavior. For instance, despite all evidence to the contrary, many people still choose to see a pattern between vaccinations and autism. Prior to researching this phenomenon of autism and its cause, vaccinations would sound quite plausible to people unfamiliar with the medical aspects of vaccines and autism. Around the same time that a child is vaccinated is about the time that symptoms of autism begin to sprout. However, since the medical community has been studying this pattern of cause-and-effect, they have not been able to find any link with vaccinations and autism (except that they coincidentally occur at approximately the same time).

People strive to find a pattern, a reason, a purpose for something that occurs. It helps us to cope with the phenomenon in question and allows us to have a sense of control about a situation that we might find ourselves in.

Belief in there being a supernatural deity or a meaning to life is no different. Though we have the natural instinct to locate a pattern that would offer us a satisfactory explanation for something that is otherwise mysterious to us, we must curtail this instinctive behavior in favor of something that will provide a more substantial explanation. Critical thinking and the scientific method are available for this very purpose.

We would like for there to be a "meaning" or "purpose" for our lives as homo sapiens and as individuals, an overall meaning that prevails all personal meanings. Based on how well finding patterns between cause and effect relationships have been for us as a species, it seems common sense that we would be able to use this same ability for things more abstract, like the meaning of life.

I believe that this is where our natural instincts for locating a pattern or a purpose fails us. We are misled by this capability time and again, in instances of ghosts, spirits, vaccines/autism, the Obama/birth conspiracy,  homeopathic remedies, and dream interpretation. Likewise, I would venture to propose that we are being misled by our need to find pattern and purpose in things more abstract and broad like an "ultimate" meaning of life. I remain unconvinced by the assertions made by those who claim that there is a meaning to life. Especially when that meaning includes a supernatural aspect.