And so they met, these two philosophers of different origins - be they from East or West, North or South it did not matter.

They paused on a rock, breaking bread to discuss life, the universe and - of course - everything.

"As soon as I think I understand how something works, it surprises me. The world constantly baffles me as if some unknown entity changes things only to keep me from understanding the world."

"My problem is life", says the other, "I can't make sense of it. I have found no reason for me to be here, no reason for existence, none. But what you say is true. Maybe in the definition of your problem we both have a solution."

Through a crumbed beard filter, the response. "So what you mean is that the unknown entity is the solution? That this unknown entity can give us meaning, give existence meaning and explain all the things that confuse and baffle us?"

"It's a thought. Think about it. We could spread the word and get people back to being productive - we can give them a point to their existence, a point to their lives and a ready explanation that allows them to proceed without having to understand anything in this world. I think the people will eat this up and they might even pay for its propagation."

A thoughtful pause.

"So what you're suggesting is that we assign all the things we cannot explain and understand to an unknown entity? That we can blame this entity for everything, good and bad? Should we humanize the entity so that people can relate to it?"

"You're catching on, but consider this: if we humanize the entity, it would be too transparent. So instead, let us say that the entity created us and did so in the image of the entity. In that way, people feel that they can relate to the entity while permitting for the entity to be like them."

"That's brilliant! It could really work! And we could stack on a code of Ethics so that people are more productive members of society when they subscribe to our way of thinking."

"Right! And anyone who doesn't agree, we will call non-believers. And of course this entity will do bad things to the non-believers. People respond well to fear, you see. And to balance that, we have rewards for belief as well. I'm sure that we could come up with a good system within our lifetime."

"Lets do it!"

"No way."

"What? But you have this thing all planned out!"

"It's true that I've thought about it but I refuse to put a system in force that allows people no responsibility for understanding their own world, that isolates them from the very reality that they exist in. And of course like all things, people will fight over differences. I can see great wars being raged, rivers of blood running to the great oceans, over silly little things. People get trapped in details and there would be many details in such a system."

"Hmm. Well, I think I'll go try it out."

"If you start it, you'll be responsible for a lot of suffering."

"No problem, we'll blame the entity for it!"

And they parted ways, one proud of adopting someone else's rejected idea and the other disgusted with himself for even having brought it up.

History remembers only one.