Why Are We Here? Why are we here? What are the true reason(s) for our existence? Was the Universe created for us or are we just some kind of "accident" within a much larger scheme, the contours of which we cannot see, but may still want to think about? This is one of the most fundamental questions of humanity and one to which there are many attempted answers, and even more opinions! It is a central subject of philosophy and religion and it is one where there are very many diverging beliefs. Philosophical answers [Section to be inserted] Religious beliefs [Section to be inserted] Some personal thoughts But what do individual people think? How do their ideas depend on their personal and professional backgrounds? We asked the members of the Expert Panel and the International Steering Committee to express their thoughts on this subject - here are their answers [more to follow]: Richard West - astronomer at the European Southern Observatory (ESO) What is you own opinion about this?