Seven Wonders of Existence

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I am in the mood to celebrate the Universe! By which I mean reality itself, in all its mysteriousness. So, imitating the ancient catalogues of great architectural feats, I came up with a list of the Seven Wonders of Existence, just for a bit of fun. Rather than big artificial or natural objects, these wonders are deeply mysterious features of our existential situation. Things that never cease to boggle my mind.


(pictured here: a wondrous comet giving off flames in every direction; it looks stylized rather than realistic to our modern eye ; Source here )

What follows is a list of metaphysically-flavoured things that “fill the mind with ever new and increasing admiration and awe, the more often and steadily we reflect upon them” as Kant says of “the starry heavens above me and the moral law within me.”

I say "metaphysically-flavoured", because the items of this list tend to be things where our sense of their necessity (“things could not be otherwise”) clashes with an equally strong sense of their contingency (“things very well could be otherwise”). They speak to a highly philosophical sensitivity. As such, they spark endless wonder and endless debate. But in any case, it is hard to dismiss them as opportunities for astonishment without throwing away vast swathes of your spiritual life.

Here goes the list:

1) The fact that there is Something rather than Nothing. Indeed, the fact that there exists anything at all. It’s a big one this one. Perhaps even cheating a little bit. For how else can we describe reality itself?

2) The fact that I am Me and not someone else. Indeed, the fact that I seem to inhabit a particular point of view; a particular place, a particular time. A good article about this here. And know that many a child have pondered this exact puzzle!

3) The fact that language informs the mind, and that language is shaped by metaphors and stories from the start. Which leaves us no choice but to fathom how pre-shaped we are by metaphors and stories passed down from one generation to the next. On metaphors, see here.

4) The fact that mathematics - this special alien-looking language - also informs the mind. And that it connects us to the patterns of the universe. It simply boggles the mind.

5) The techniques of ego death. The fact that the “oceanic feeling” (oneness with the universe, being part of a greater reality) is available to those who employ certain techniques of meditation. We are none of us stuck as only ourselves. Recently, Jhana meditation has positively blown my mind with how strange and good the altered states of consciousness they elicit can be.

6) The visitations of ego death. Indeed, often you don’t even have to have technique. It just happens to you. Sleep claims you. A particularly vivid dream touches you. The muse or a calling informs you of what to do next. The ego quiets down, not because you made any effort for it, but because reality simply is so much bigger than your conceited plans.

7) Humour! By God, people. Humour is so good. But does it deserve such a spot on this list? For if we admit comedy in there, are we not making jealous all of the other types of art, and all the distinct sentiments they bring to the table? I hear you, I really do. But isn’t there something absolutely remarkable about the way a bit of humour can, like a safety rope, save us from drowning in any of the items from this list? I say it earned a spot from doing community service.

So then... If you've made it this far, I hope you found it fun. What would you have put on the list? I'm curious to know.


(PS: This blog is a cabinet of curiosity made to ponder many such wonders. For instance, we talked about the inspiring work of Helen de Cruz and also about ways to learn to appreciate our place in the wider Cosmos. Take a look around the blog for more philosophical exercises!

You can support this curation project on the Patreon page. As you might know, it is hard to get paid to do philosophy, and patrons are the ones to make sure philosophers can keep sharing the good stuff with everyone. Moreover, if you subscribe on Patreon, you can get perks such as advice, recommendations, and accountability partnership so that you can stick to your goals.)


(22/10/2025)


Pierrick Simon

my email: lemiroirtranquille@outlook.fr

(do not hesitate to reach out)

Bluesky: @pierricksimon.bsky.social

Twitter: @PhiloTranquille

Patreon: PhilosophicalExercises


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