Zero Complexity is a multilayered work that seeks to offer a humanistic alternative to traditional religious claims. At its heart is a conviction that we need to go beyond the belief in creation. We must start by accepting that there was no God at the origin of time and space, as there was either a singularity or no beginning in the first place.
Yet, there can still be a spirit pervading the universe, which is impossible to deny. The philosopher Spinoza argued this, but Robin Main cautions that when the whole of existence, with or without consciousness, shrinks down to a singularity - meaning the dimensionless state of 'zero complexity' that looks like nothing - all spiritual, mystical, or divine beings must disappear too.
But without a creator, where does that leave human purpose and morality? Dr Main provides a new way to tackle these issues by highlighting the central role of emotion in our sense of beauty, empathy or perfection and by offering a scale of complexity for the mind, from subconscious detection to self-consciousness.
With his powerful and unconventional philosophical take on the origin of existence and the meaning of life, Dr Main takes us on a journey towards peace by seeking the truth, where he shows the limitations of religion and why they must change. Because, religions can evolve into formidable sources of peace, hope and purpose by celebrating their faith in an infinitely loving God while renouncing certain unnecessary falsehoods, dogmas and discriminatory beliefs.
Zero Complexity is a blueprint for how atheism and humanism can help religion to become a better version of itself.
Dr Robin C Main is a member of the Royal College of Physicians and Fellow of the Royal College of Radiologists. He was inspired to write this book after struggling - and failing - to find a way to resolve different approaches to what is probably the original philosophical question, 'how to live'. This book is a response to social conflicts he felt were made more intractable, not less, by religious teaching.
