8th responder

Why is there something rather than nothing?
without something there is nothing.
without something there is no existance.
without something there is no matter, no life, no thought.

How do you explain human nature?
Human nature is both instinctual and learned reactions to situations.These situations can be organized and well planned, random andchaotic, or even dangerous and frightening. The great scope of "humannature" sometimes drastically conflicts with a rational well thoughtout reaction due to the seriousness and/or instantaneousness of thesituation. The difference between rational planning and a person'sdecision is often determines how others rate their actions; rangingfrom brutal and inhumane to heroic and purely self sacrificing.

What happens to a person at death?
While the thought of a person's personality and soul simply disappearsat the moment of their death is both disheartening and depressing, itis easy to see how this idea was the initial catalyst of religion andidea of life after death. That idea makes the thought of our ownfuture death more acceptable as well as accepting of the passing ofthose we love. Almost all religions believe in some form of acontinuation of a person's spirit or soul once their earthly shellceases to function. This can be the idea of reincarnation, Heaven,Valhalla, a continual replay of the happiest moment in your previouslife, or even a random combination or blending as one sees fit.Personally, I try to think of it as little as possible. I neither lookforward to seeing what awaits me nor fear it. I embrace what and whomakes up what I know now.

How do you determine what is right and wrong?
A combination of what was instilled (or beaten) into me growing up,current criminal and civil law that I am aware of, and the idea of thegolden rule; treat others as you would like to be treated. I oftenthink of how my actions would or can affect those around me andsometimes a random stranger.

How do you know that you know?
I don't. I guess alot. ALOT!

What is the meaning of history?A record of previous event in time as scribed by persons involved inthe events or a theory of previous events through careful examinationof artifacts and scientific data from a given moment or moments intime.