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We are all just atoms. Then why do we fight so much? || Acharya Prashant, at BITS Pilani, Goa (2022)
Breaking Free
1.3K views
1 year ago
Consciousness
Ego
Identity
Self-knowledge
Materialism
Conflict
Education
Dissatisfaction
Description

Acharya Prashant addresses a question regarding why human conflict, hatred, and ego exist if all matter is fundamentally composed of the same elemental particles like quarks and electrons. He explains that while the objective universe is made of material particles, these particles do not possess an 'I-ness' or identity. Conflict arises because of human consciousness, which declares an identity and is perpetually dissatisfied. This 'I-ness' or ego identifies with material objects—such as bodies, wealth, or status—to find fulfillment, yet remains fundamentally discontented. This inner lack of fulfillment leads to the urge to 'become' something else, which inevitably results in competition and strife with others.