What is c, and does it matter?

 c = 299 792 458 m/s

The speed of light, c, is one of the most important fundamental constants in the universe, the absolute speed limit across spacetime. Light, as a particle has no mass, thus any amount of energy will accelerate it to the maximum possible speed, having no inertia to resist motion. This, however, raises the question, why doesn't light travel at an infinite speed? And does the question make sense to ask?

Should we look for a 'reason' for fundamental constants? Are there certain facets of the Universe which are, simply because they are? The Scientific Method often leads us to believe that everything is linked by cause and effect, however, at the most fundamental level, are there laws and systems which are true, simply because they are true? 

Both answers to this question are somewhat unsatisfying. It seems illogical that the fundamental laws and systems of the universe simply exist, without any meaningful explanations, is 2.99x10^8 simply a random number, conjured ex nihilo? Perhaps not, but by the previous logic, there is something, some cause of the speed of light which must be, in its essence, unexplainable and completely arbitrary. Conversely, if everything has some reason for its existence, we come to a 'turtles all the way down' conjecture. If any facet of reality x must be caused by y, then axiomatically there must be a cause for y, and so on to infinity. This almost renders scientific inquiry mute, what is the purpose of investigation if we will never develop a complete accurate insight into reality, if a complete theory of reality is literally impossible to create.

This raises a question about the nature of Science itself, ostensibly, scientific discovery provides tangible benefits to human society, as understanding often does. However, I would argue that inquiry has a value to humans all its own. We have an innate, ineffable desire for knowledge, this is reflected in our wish not just to know, but to understand. Knowing HOW something happens has utilitarian value, knowing WHY, has a personal value to the individual.

In the end, the question of why things are as they are, is an eternal one which will follow our species to the end of time, ultimately boiling down to, 'Why is there something, instead of nothing'. It is in part, a search for knowledge, to expand ones view of the universe to gain some ultimate understanding of the nature of everything. Yet it it also something different, a search for meaning, and for purpose, for a reason to exist. We will not find it here though.