Why the Material World is Not Enough

The other week, I had a discussion with a sceptic who couldn't understand why the material world and materialistic science weren't "enough" for me. She almost seemed affronted that I would look into matters spiritual, as though to do so was somehow an insult to the accomplishments of the modern world.

I explained that there were very logical reasons for not being satisified with the physical world and materialism as a complete reflection of reality. There is the mine of scientific evidence which supports the hypotheses that psychic abilities are real, that spiritual planes exist alongside this one, and that it's possible to communicate with those who reside on these planes.

So there's the scientific, evidence-based justification for the material world not being "enough". But as I thought about it at length, I realised that very few people actually find physical reality to be enough to sustain their interests and intellect. Don't we all engage in entertainment in our spare time? We watch sports, we read novels, we watch films, we listen to music...all mediums by which we are taken beyond our regular existence.

How did art come to be created? Why do writers write? Why do actors act? Why do we enjoy art? The answer, I think, is that clearly our material plane, as wonderful as it is, is *not* enough to keep us interested and happy for all of our lives. We need a route that provides escape and respite, something art does spectacularly well. I'm sure the person who berated me has watched TV or read a novel in her lifetime. If nature and materialism were truly all that she needed, she'd have no reason to make use of those things.

We are imbued with the desire to create, which means that we can never be *fully* satisfied with this world, because with full satisfaction comes the end of creativity. With full satisfaction comes the death of innovation. When we're entirely content with what we have, there is no further need for action, which brings human imagination and achievement to a halt.

So, no - the material world is NOT enough. What's more, there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. In fact, it's probably a good thing.