I do not even know if there is a way to think clearly about Japan. The power of the Earth still eclipses the power of humanity innumerable times, and we are inconceivably lucky that life can exist here at all. We should not be perplexed when that blind force of nature extinguishes life with apparent cruelty.
I suppose that all we can hope for, is that in those relatively few cases where human effort, compassion, and ingenuity can still save lives and repair for the future, humans are at their best.
Ever since I have read this essay, every time a great tragedy befalls humanity, I think about these words. And if there is a universal morality, it is described here most clearly and poetically
Natural Causes 
You really think this was a result of nature?
Earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanoes are certainly natural disasters, right? What other cause do you propose?
That’s what you would think, right, especially as a believer in natural causes?
Yes. However, I fail to understand your point. I must ask again: what other cause do you propose? God? Global warming?
If it’s global warming, then I am inclined to accept it as a possibility. Although, I would remain skeptical until I saw the evidence establishing that link. And of course, global warming is also a natural cause, brought about by humans, who are natural things and working within the bounds of the natural world, however clumsily and short-sighted.
If it’s God, karma, or some other supernatural explanation, then I would reject it as ridiculous. A product of dark-age thinking.
But I am only speculating as to what you are referring to. I dislike the vagueness and deflection of your responses, to tell the truth. It is bad practice when trying to have an enlightening conversation.
Hey Prof, I enjoy reading your thoughts. You have a vulnerable quality to your writing that gravitates me towards your blog. Keep up the posts. You reject the idea of having a supernatural explanation to what happens in the natural world because you believe it’s a product of the dark-age which, if you remember correctly, I completely disagree. But I’m not even going to try to explain God’s will. Nothing I or anyone else says will ever convince you otherwise and I think that’s a good thing because that’s how you were created. You were created to taste things for yourself and to be captivated by the way the physical world functions. I hope some day you can experience God. There’s not much logic. Not much rationality involved. You can’t put it into words-that will be a new thing for you. I’m praying for you. Elisa
I’m just trying to help you consider other options. I find that it helps to incite a conversation rather than just giving away the store! And it obviously worked since you gave plenty others, none of which I agree to be the cause anyway.
I am sorry, but I cannot agree. If there are other options, I will need your help to see them. As far as I can see, in my narrow mind, there are two broad categories of causes: natural, and supernatural. I have considered them both, and you have denied them both. I will not, of my own volition, be able to consider other options without assistance.
Holding out information like this is always a form of tyrannizing the dialogue.
So, I read the article that you linked. Then I read this conversation you’re having. The more I read; news, philosophy, life, the more I get confused. I think that I do not know the causes of the majority of life’s happenings, but there seems to be people that are working hard to figure it out. My question, why do so many people not want to? Why does there gave to be this complicated force behind a tsunami? Isn’t there beauty enough in the mechanics? Isn’t there wonder enough in explainable patterns and theories? Why do we want the unexplainable? (we being humans)
It’s an artificially created natural occurrence. I’m not going to invite tyranny upon myself by saying anything more.
I wasn’t meaning to upset you. I actually liked your first point of pointing out all we can do is try to make the best of this existence. I didn’t understand why you got into the other discussion. It seemed to miss the point of your post. That’s all I was trying to say. Wasn’t trying to pick apart your idea, just applaud the original thought. Unless I missed the point completely. If that’s the case, I apologize..
Seriously Swanson! How many papers of mine have you read? You thought I wrote that? By the way, if you didn’t get it, this is Autumn.
Yeah, I got it. You’re right. I apologize 🙂 I had forgotten about these particular posts when I spoke to you.