Hey guys, do any of you still read this? I made a survey, and I hope some of you will be interested in filling it in when you have time. It's just for curiosity's sake
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Hmmm, well I haven't done a meme in a while, and this one intreuges me...
１．What is your definition of a human being? I'd go with a pretty standard "homo sapien" definition for human beings. That's not to say that other things can't have personhood or even be competely equal to humans and just not be human. The sticky issues for me come with questions of when a human is a person (e.g. when is does something cease to be a mass of cells and become a human person, or what must be gone from them before they cease to be.) I don't honestly have an answer for those questions. It's tempting to think that it's based on the aggragate will of the culture you're in, but I can't live with living with whatever that group can come up with (e.g. Nazi Germany). I'll stop now before I ramble forever :)
２．What is humanity’s place in the universe, and the world? I don't see humanity having any objectivly special place in the universe. The only importance on that scale that I could see would be if Earth was the only place with life (highly unlikely in my opinion). That combined with our huge ability to affect what then becomes all life anywhere really makes us hugely important. In either case, I don't think the universe notices us one way or the other.
I've half answered the in the world portion. Basically we have an obligation as lifeforms with such far reaching influence to be stewards of the planet and keep life going. Of course that doesn't always mean making sure nothing ever changes. While I applaud and support preventing and cleaning up any messes we cause, I sometimes fear that someday people will decide that any change to how the Earth has become in our short time here, must be how it will always be, and thus keep things that should natrually happen, from happening.
３．What is humanity`s role among non-human species? Pretty much above, although I'll add that we should at all times be as humane benevolent as possible. That doesn't mean never causing harm or death, such things are inevitable, but they should be mitigated and avoided as much as possible. Of course this comes from someone who loves to eat meat, but once may very well have rescued and released a brown reculse spider...
４．How should different cultures and nations interact with each other? Peacibly and diplomatically when at all possible, although one must always be ready to protect themselves and those who cannot protect themselves. I think most cultures and nations agree with that, the problem lies in what they consider to be protection and what times the feel force is required. American notions of freedom don't neccasarily apply everywhere, especailly when they're brought through force (how can you force somewhere to be free?) I don't think we can completely avoid conflict, it's too inherent to our nature, but I think we can and have become better at controlling it. Despite what one might glean from the media and certain administrations, humanities standards of what is acceptable have increased, and overall violent conflit decreased.
１．What is your definition of a human being? I'd go with a pretty standard "homo sapien" definition for human beings. That's not to say that other things can't have personhood or even be competely equal to humans and just not be human. The sticky issues for me come with questions of when a human is a person (e.g. when is does something cease to be a mass of cells and become a human person, or what must be gone from them before they cease to be.) I don't honestly have an answer for those questions. It's tempting to think that it's based on the aggragate will of the culture you're in, but I can't live with living with whatever that group can come up with (e.g. Nazi Germany). I'll stop now before I ramble forever :)
２．What is humanity’s place in the universe, and the world? I don't see humanity having any objectivly special place in the universe. The only importance on that scale that I could see would be if Earth was the only place with life (highly unlikely in my opinion). That combined with our huge ability to affect what then becomes all life anywhere really makes us hugely important. In either case, I don't think the universe notices us one way or the other.
I've half answered the in the world portion. Basically we have an obligation as lifeforms with such far reaching influence to be stewards of the planet and keep life going. Of course that doesn't always mean making sure nothing ever changes. While I applaud and support preventing and cleaning up any messes we cause, I sometimes fear that someday people will decide that any change to how the Earth has become in our short time here, must be how it will always be, and thus keep things that should natrually happen, from happening.
３．What is humanity`s role among non-human species? Pretty much above, although I'll add that we should at all times be as humane benevolent as possible. That doesn't mean never causing harm or death, such things are inevitable, but they should be mitigated and avoided as much as possible. Of course this comes from someone who loves to eat meat, but once may very well have rescued and released a brown reculse spider...
４．How should different cultures and nations interact with each other?
Peacibly and diplomatically when at all possible, although one must always be ready to protect themselves and those who cannot protect themselves. I think most cultures and nations agree with that, the problem lies in what they consider to be protection and what times the feel force is required. American notions of freedom don't neccasarily apply everywhere, especailly when they're brought through force (how can you force somewhere to be free?) I don't think we can completely avoid conflict, it's too inherent to our nature, but I think we can and have become better at controlling it. Despite what one might glean from the media and certain administrations, humanities standards of what is acceptable have increased, and overall violent conflit decreased.
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