Carl Sagans Cosmic Connection - Article Example

How he conceived his idea that we are based on ‘star-stuff’ is really divided into two reasonings. One is scientific, the other philosophical (Sagan & Agel 2000). And since it is one big cycling and recycling system, it runs before us, through us, and after us. For example, the hydrogen generated by the Big Bang is to be found inside our bodies, our planet, our atmosphere, and our solar system (Sagan & Agel 2000). It is one of the elements, including helium and carbon, on which the entire universe works.

He called it ‘the intimate connection between stars and life.’ We are made of it, and we are part of it. It was here before humans evolved, and will be here long after we are gone. The philosophical aspect of Sagan’s suggestion is that although our genetic material is no different from any other self-replicating organism on Earth, we are able to contemplate the mystery of our origins, and the strange and convoluted way we emerged from star stuff (or the matter out of which the universe is made).

We are part of the cosmos, and we can - and should - ponder over our own existence. (Sagan & Agel 2000) He was in awe of this amazing phenomenon.