Human’s Role in the Universe

We have discussed how understanding of the structure of the universe, and of its dimensions, age, and formation, has greatly changed our idea of the cosmic role of mankind. Considering that the observable Universe is billions of light years in extent, billions of years in age, including hundreds of billions of galaxies, many with hundreds of billions of stars, we certainly realize our meager role in the development of this vast world. Indeed, at first glance it might seem that humans, or even life itself here on the Earth, make no difference to the Universe. However, there is one perspective that seems to give sentient life strange cosmic significance. Only a sentient, intellectual species can become aware of the universe and understand its natural rules and regularities. It seems that through thinking, self-aware species the Universe becomes aware of itself!