Book Review: Why We Exist: Inferences from Science for an explanation of Human Purpose

Author: Eugene Bell-Gam
Spiritual Bias: Deist
Origins Bias: Subscribes to Solar System Experiment Theory
Rating: Middle of the Road
Level: Mildly Technical
Year: 2003

Comments: The evidence for design is growing and even some without a traditional religious affiliation are starting to recognize this. Eugene Bell-Gam is one of these people, and has written "Why We Exist" to propose a theory for our purpose.

In short, his theory is that human beings have been designed to be information gatherers within a grand solar system experiment. The information that is gathered is stored in the brain and transmitted to our experimenters while we sleep in secured form.

The primary problem with this idea is that it is without much hardcore scientific support. It could easily have formed the basis for a science-fiction book. But this is to be expected with such a radical theory. Now radical doesn't mean wrong, it just means radical. Every now and again a radical scientific theory is right.

From a literary perspective, the book probably could be a little longer and the theory could be a bit more well developed. In addition, there are several statements about Christianity that could easily be construed as mischaracterizations. Given all of this, I have given this book a rating of Middle of the Road. Readers most interested in this book are probably those that recognize design influence in the universe, but are unsatisfied with traditional explanations for our purpose.

Sample Quote(s): "The real issue is not who is right or wrong, or whether the earth is 'young' or 'old'. It is the issue of purpose that goes to the heart of our existence. Everything else merely concerns methodology and mechanics. We must reach out beyond the physically observable and religious dogma to search for the true meaning of life."