All beings, except God, are more or less dependent. The eternal is better than the temporal. The unchanging is better than the changing. The species is more important than the individual. The common good is more important than the private good.
Scientific contemplation is a private good.
Human beings are attached to their environment because they have bodies and are able to soar above their environment because they have minds. Heavenly bodies are superior to earthly bodies. Human mind is inferior to divine mind. God is eternal awareness of awareness. God does not make, govern, or have knowledge of the universe.