The idea of the “Ten Commandments” is fascinating. It mixes two things we love: making lists of ten and telling others how to live. The most famous list comes from the Hebrew Bible, handed from God to Moses on Mount Sinai. Over time, people outside religion have also made their own lists—like atheist or socialist commandments. The Socialist Sunday Schools in the UK, for instance, suggested commandments such as: “All good things come from labor. Enjoying them without working is stealing from workers.”
But poetic naturalists like Sean Carroll think differently. Instead of commandments, they offer considerations—ideas to think about as we create meaningful lives. These aren’t rules; they’re invitations to reflect and grow.
Here are Ten considerations from Sean Carroll’s book:
1. Life Isn’t Forever
Life is short, and that’s what makes it precious. Imagine a heaven where you get everything you want. After a while, wouldn’t it become boring? In the end, even in heaven, people would choose to end it all.
Death is a part of life, not something to escape. Eternity is longer than we can imagine. The beauty of life lies in its fleeting nature. What matters is what’s here and now. This is not a rehearsal. It’s the only show we get, and it’s up to us to make the most of it.
2. Desire Is Built into Life
Life is full of motion and change. Even when we sit still, our bodies are working tirelessly—breathing, pumping blood, and creating energy.
Unlike machines, which do nothing unless programmed, living beings are driven by desires. We want good food, meaningful connections, and creative expression. These desires shape who we are and why we care.
But desires don’t control us. We are reflective beings, capable of choosing what to care about. We can channel our desires into making the world a better place.
3. What Matters Is What Matters to People
The universe is vast and indifferent. It doesn’t care about us. But we care about it, and that’s what makes us unique.
Humans give meaning to the world. We think, we feel, and we attach value to things. When we ask, “Does this matter?” the answer lies in whether it matters to someone.
This ability to care, to value, is something we can be proud of.
4. We Can Always Do Better
Progress comes from making mistakes and learning from them. We try, we fail, and we improve. It’s how we grow.
In science, discoveries often follow a series of trials and errors. In life, perfection is even harder to define because there’s no fixed standard. Yet, we make moral progress by questioning our actions and biases.
Becoming better people takes effort, but it’s possible through honesty and openness.
5. Reality Guides Us
Reality is what it is. It doesn’t bend to our wishes or beliefs. But understanding reality gives us the tools to navigate life.
Poetic naturalism encourages us to embrace the truth of the universe, even when it’s hard. There’s no cosmic plan or ultimate purpose, but that doesn’t diminish our ability to create meaning.
When we align our choices with reality, we can make informed decisions and live authentically.
6. There Is No Natural Way to Be
Nature is creative but chaotic, and humans are shaped by competing impulses rather than a unified, simplistic self. Since we are a part of nature, everything we do is “natural.” However, nature does not provide rules or guidance—it simply exists.
Examples from animals, like the transformation of a Kenyan baboon troop into a more cooperative and egalitarian group after the loss of dominant males, show adaptability and potential for change. The takeaway is not to imitate nature but to recognize our own complexity and capacity for transformation as individuals and societies.
7. It Takes All Kinds
There is no singular, correct way to live a meaningful life. Each person must create their own purpose, which can vary widely:
- Some value imagination and artistic expression.
- Others find meaning in honor, reliability, or simply helping others.
Poetic naturalism embraces this diversity and rejects the notion of a universal “best” way of living. It celebrates the rich variety of human virtues and lives well-lived. Life offers an opportunity to shape our own paths and define what is true and good for ourselves.
8. The Universe Is in Our Hands
Humans are unique because they can think, reflect, and choose how to act. While we are made of the same atoms as everything else in the universe, our consciousness allows us to take responsibility for shaping the world.
This ability comes with immense power, enabling us to transform the planet, alter life, and explore new frontiers. It is our responsibility to use this power wisely, even if we cannot control the universe’s ultimate fate.
9. We Can Do Better Than Happiness
Happiness is often overemphasized as life’s goal. A meaningful life is more about growth, change, and a fulfilling journey:
- Synchronic meaning: Happiness in the moment (e.g., enjoying sunshine).
- Diachronic meaning: Happiness from progress over time (e.g., working toward a degree).
Life is defined by movement and transformation. Figures like Socrates, Gandhi, and Mandela are remembered not for happiness but for their profound contributions. At life’s end, what matters most is having a meaningful story rather than achieving a static state of happiness.
10. Reality Guides Us
People often hold “positive illusions”—beliefs that aren’t true but make them feel good, like overestimating their abilities. While these illusions can increase happiness, they don’t align with the deeper rewards of truth.
Facing reality requires effort, especially when comforting beliefs are tempting. However, the pursuit of truth fosters personal growth, understanding, and stronger connections with others. By rejecting illusions and embracing reality, we unlock greater possibilities for meaning and purpose.
These points reinforce the idea that life’s purpose is not about chasing a fixed ideal but about embracing our capacity to change, seek truth, and create meaning in the ever-changing flow of existence.
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