The Anomaly that is Man

[Mudhammam]

The only relevant tidbit I have to add, as I agree with your general summary, is this oft-quoted gem from Einstein: "The most incomprehensible thing about the universe is that it is comprehensible." Somewhere in there I suppose man holds a privileged position.

Perhaps that shows we don't have a privileged position. If we did, it would be comprehensible that the universe should be comprehensible.

But really, not everything gnomish utterances of Einstein reflect wisdom rather than ignorance or mental fart.

That's quite gnomish of you. I rather agree with Einstein. Our ability to comprehend certain limits to our present comprehensibility, and therefore push the boundaries into what initially seems absurd, is, if anything, what makes our position privileged and more importantly, continually interesting.