We can view events, decisions, problems, and ideas with different perspectives or lenses. The default perspective for most of us is “What does this mean for me?”. This perspective comes very easily to us, and we likely ask ourselves this question constantly throughout the day. We can broaden our perspective to include others and ask "What does this mean for my family/neighbourhood/company/school/community?". This perspective becomes useful as we recognize that our own goals are closely tied to the goals of these groups. With the creation of nation states and nationalism, people began to ask "What does this mean for my country?". With the rise of globalization and humanism some began to ask "What does this mean for humanity?". I want to outline another lense that we can choose to use: "What does this mean for Life?" To use this lense, consider the situation at hand from the perspective of Life. I have found this lense especially useful when considering problems and challenges that affect all of Life in a significant way: global warming, existential risks, declining biodiversity. It can also give us new answers to personal questions, such as the meaning of our lives, or how to accept our own death. What follows are a few issues viewed through these lenses: Personal lense: "What does this mean for me" Human lense: "What does this mean for humanity" Life lense: "What does this mean for Life" - Biodiversity Personal: We may like certain species that are at risk for extinction, and be saddened at the prospect of losing these species forever. Humanity: Humans can learn a lot from other species, so the extinction of a species is a lost opportunity to learn from them. Extinctions can cause (or may be the result of) changing ecosystems. Such changes may make it more difficult for us to live in this ecosystem if food chains are disrupted. Life: Biodiversity can be seen as a strategy for Life to be secured against existential threats and changes. For example, if sea levels rise to the point where all land on earth was covered, Life would survive, because elements of Life are capable of living underwater. If the temperature of earth rose dramatically, Life would continue as some extremophile species have adapted to survive at extremely high temperatures. We can see that the more diverse members of Life become, the more resilient Life itself becomes. Therefore, extinction of species can be seen as a reduction in this resiliency of Life. - Our own mortality Personal: We usually try very hard to avoid death, and it's inevitability causes many of us distress. When taking only this perspective, the prospect of death is terrifying, because from this narrow point of view it is the end of "everything". Humanity: Most recognize that our own death will not have a significant impact on all of humanity. This lense has motivated some to "leave their mark in history" so that their life has some impact on other humans that will continue on after their death. Taking this perspective is much more tolerable for some, as we recognize that our families, friends and community will live on without us. It may motivate people to "leave the world a better place" for future generations. Life: Our own death has an even more negligible impact on Life as a whole. From this lense we can see death as an essential component of the process of Life. I personally find tremendous peace in framing my own death in the context of Life. I am humbled to consider myself as a small part of the massive and amazing entity that is Life. It reminds me that I am literally one with all the organisms that came before me and all that will follow. - Finding meaning or purpose in our life Personal: We can choose the purpose of our lives to be centered around ourselves. For example achieving individual fame, glory, or fortunes. These types of goals are easily understood, and strived toward by many. Upon reflection these goals can seem very fleeting, as any progress we make will be wiped out when we die. Humanity: We can focus on goals that improve the situation of all humans. For example: scientific discoveries, great projects, new ideas, peacemaking. These goals seem more "meaningful" and lasting, as our successes that impact others will outlast our deaths and potentially affect tremendous amounts of people. Life: We can work to secure and propagate Life itself. For example: spreading Life to other planets and ensuring that Life continues to survive and flourish on our changing Earth. These goals are rarely considered, but can provide us with a deep sense of belonging and purpose as they connect us with all other living beings. I don't believe any of these perspectives is more true or correct than any other, but from each perspective we may gain some insight into the matter at hand. The lense of Life is very rarely used, but I believe there is much we can gain from it.