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"整个自然界每年所遭受的苦难总量是任何体面思考所无法覆盖的。在一个由电子和自私基因、盲目的物理力量和基因复制构成的宇宙中,有些人会受伤害,有些人会走运,而你在其中找不到任何规律或理由,更不要说正义。"

Richard Dawkins
Richard Dawkins Evolutionary biologist
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Quote meaning
Life in the natural world is often harsh and unforgiving. The idea here is that suffering is an inevitable part of existence. The universe operates on indifferent principles—forces of nature, genetic survival strategies, and sheer randomness. These elements don’t follow any moral order or sense of justice.

This concept is rooted in a scientific and evolutionary perspective. Richard Dawkins, a renowned biologist, has often discussed these ideas, emphasizing that nature doesn’t operate with a sense of fairness. It’s not that nature is cruel on purpose—it’s just indifferent. For instance, think about how a lion hunts a gazelle. The lion doesn't do it out of malice; it does it to survive. The suffering of the gazelle is a byproduct of a natural process.

Let’s put this idea into a real-life example. Imagine you're watching a nature documentary. A cheetah chases down a young antelope. It’s a tense, heart-pounding scene. The cheetah is sleek and desperate with hunger. The antelope, fragile yet fast, runs for its life. Eventually, the cheetah catches the antelope, and there’s a struggle before the antelope succumbs. It's a brutal reminder of how nature works. There's no "bad guy" or "good guy" here—just survival. The cheetah needs to eat to stay alive; the antelope's suffering is a consequence of this natural order.

So, how can you apply this wisdom in your own life? One way is to recognize and accept that not everything that happens is within your control, nor is it always fair. You might face hardships that seem senseless or undeserved. Instead of getting bogged down by the injustice of it all, focus on what you can control. Build resilience, adapt, and find ways to thrive despite the randomness and unfairness around you.

Imagine this scenario: You’ve been working hard at your job, putting in extra hours and delivering great results. One day, you find out that a colleague, who seems to do the bare minimum, gets promoted over you. It feels incredibly unfair. You’re angry and disheartened. But, if you adopt the perspective from the quote, you might come to see that sometimes, things happen without rhyme or reason. It’s not necessarily a reflection of your worth or effort—just the randomness of circumstances.

Instead of dwelling on the injustice, you could use this as a motivation to improve your skills, seek opportunities elsewhere, or even have an open conversation with your boss about your career path. The key is not to let arbitrary setbacks define your sense of self or deter you from your goals.

In essence, life’s randomness and inherent unfairness don't mean you give up or become passive. It’s about understanding the nature of the world and finding your path within it. Embrace the unpredictability, and use it as a catalyst for growth and resilience.
Related tags
Existentialism Genetics Injustice Natural world Philosophy Randomness Suffering Universe
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