We Give The Universe Meaning, Like Nothing Else

The problem with all of this is that it is a circular argument1) We as humans considere consciousness important basically because we happen to have it
2) For something to have "meaning" (whatever that may be) it requires a consciousess to be aware of it
3) Having meaning is therefore a byproduct of consciouness and as such considered very important to conscious beings
4) Therefore we ourselves (and presumably any other equally or more conscious beings in the universe) are exceptionally important as we provide meaning to the universe and we have decided that meaning is a very important attribute to haveAll you have done is show that one very human attribute (meaning) is dependant on another very human attribute (consciousness). The phrase "meaning" has no meaning except that which conscious beings give it.If that makes you feel better about yourself - congratulations on a job well done.But please do not try and claim to have revealed some grand truth of nature.The universe was happily in existence billions of years before we came along and will no doubt carry on for even longer after we are gone. Meaning or no meaning.

The theistic argument is, as you suggest, that meaning equals purpose. The purpose presumably being us.Apart from anything else it seems to be self important to the point of delusion to suppose that a vast and ancient universe was put in place solely for our benefit.If the universe is a physical system like any other then attributing "meaning" to it is no different to attributing meaning to any other natuarl object. What is the meaning of a particular mountain, grain of sand or asteroid floating through space?The question - What is the meaning of the universe? has no meaning.