Are humans the most advanced species on earth?

[Titanwolf]

No I don't believe we are. I couldn't answer this question in full without writing a dissertation, but I will say that wolves are amongst the many creatures that are highly advanced (more so than humans in MANY ways). Humans typically attribute technology to being "advanced", but there's more to it than that. We like to break things that are not broken. For many animals, they're intelligent enough to understand that they have a perfect system and that there's no need to adapt. Unless of course we intervene (through our selfish ventures, like chopping down the rainforest), then they're forced to adapt to the changes.

[123321]

What do you think selective pressure means?

 

The definition is "any cause that reduces reproductive success in a proportion of a population ...."

 

Why?

[Taramere]

Hello,

 

I was writing in another thread and came to a confusing idea.

 

Do Atheists believe that humans are the most advanced species on earth? Why or why not?

 

I'm an agnostic. Intellectually, lean towards atheism...but I sometimes get a sixth sense that tends to muddy the waters. Whether humans are more advanced than other species depends on how you interpret "advanced".

 

In terms of understanding environmental factors to a degree that allows us to exploit them....definitely, with the addendum that this is thanks to the work of a tiny minority of brilliant humans. In terms of developing and analysing sophisticated systems of communication, of course.

 

However, it's come at a cost...which is that we're no longer a part of nature to the extent that other animals are. In a way, we're half animal and half machine - given our heavy reliance on machinery and science. We rely on scientists to keep us informed of imminent and serious changes to weather patterns, because we're not naturally attuned to our surroundings and don't benefit from the incredibly sharp senses that other animals have.

 

Do you believe that eventually, some humans will evolve into a species that is superior to the humans of today? Why or why not?

 

I think there's a very good chance that humans will evolve into robots inasmuch as that's what we will be replaced by. It's not as crazy as it sounds. If you take the ability to reproduce as one of the defining elements of a species, we're already well on the way. Robots that can perform human tasks

 

New Robot Reproduces on Its Own

 

Robots that can perform human tasks. They wouldn't be susceptible to the seven deadly sins, because they would lack the emotions that drive pride, envy etc. They would also, of course, lack the emotions that drive love and altruism....but the robot would be the kind of superhuman that Nietzsche presumably had in mind when he talked about Christianity (and its celebration of altruism) holding humanity back.

 

This is why although I'm not religiously inclined, I doubt I'll ever embrace atheism. Notwithstanding the deaths that have occurred in its name, Christianity demands that human life be regarded as sacred. Take it out of the equation altogether and operate on purely scientific principles and I don't think notions such as altruism and empathy would hang around for much longer.

 

Which is what Nietzscheans want....but perhaps they're not being very careful about what they wish for. Leaving the scary aspects aside, it's hard to see how anybody could get genuinely excited about an earth that was populated and run by machines, but perhaps I'm just not scientifically minded enough to see what a fabulous thing that would be.

Edited September 16, 2012 by Taramere

[123321]

Selective pressure, with regards to evolution, is the competition for limited resources and reproduction. If there is plenty of food to sustain a population, then it won't exert any influence on which groups within the population survive and which won't.

 

Selective pressure is "competition for limited resources and reproduction" is an OK definition, but really only reproduction matters, resources is redundant. However selection may or may not result from selective pressure. The fact that there is a marked fecundity difference in different parts of the population indicates that (1) selective pressure is there (as it almost always is) and that (2) some are better adapted to coping with those pressures.

 

Just because WE don't think the fat welfare mom with 9 kids is well adapted doesn't mean nature agrees with our assessment.

[Crusoe]

I'm an agnostic. Intellectually, lean towards atheism...but I sometimes get a sixth sense that tends to muddy the waters. Whether humans are more advanced than other species depends on how you interpret "advanced".

 

In terms of understanding environmental factors to a degree that allows us to exploit them....definitely, with the addendum that this is thanks to the work of a tiny minority of brilliant humans. In terms of developing and analysing sophisticated systems of communication, of course.

 

However, it's come at a cost...which is that we're no longer a part of nature to the extent that other animals are. In a way, we're half animal and half machine - given our heavy reliance on machinery and science. We rely on scientists to keep us informed of imminent and serious changes to weather patterns, because we're not naturally attuned to our surroundings and don't benefit from the incredibly sharp senses that other animals have.

 

 

 

I think there's a very good chance that humans will evolve into robots inasmuch as that's what we will be replaced by. It's not as crazy as it sounds. If you take the ability to reproduce as one of the defining elements of a species, we're already well on the way. Robots that can perform human tasks

 

New Robot Reproduces on Its Own

 

Robots that can perform human tasks. They wouldn't be susceptible to the seven deadly sins, because they would lack the emotions that drive pride, envy etc. They would also, of course, lack the emotions that drive love and altruism....but the robot would be the kind of superhuman that Nietzsche presumably had in mind when he talked about Christianity (and its celebration of altruism) holding humanity back.

 

This is why although I'm not religiously inclined, I doubt I'll ever embrace atheism. Notwithstanding the deaths that have occurred in its name, Christianity demands that human life be regarded as sacred. Take it out of the equation altogether and operate on purely scientific principles and I don't think notions such as altruism and empathy would hang around for much longer.

 

Which is what Nietzscheans want....but perhaps they're not being very careful about what they wish for. Leaving the scary aspects aside, it's hard to see how anybody could get genuinely excited about an earth that was populated and run by machines, but perhaps I'm just not scientifically minded enough to see what a fabulous thing that would be.

 

The final act of the Last Man.

[Eclypse]

 

So anyways, what do you believe concerning humans and their role on the earth? Do you believe that eventually, some humans will evolve into a species that is superior to the humans of today? Why or why not?

 

Also, do you think that someday, some other animal species (dogs for example cause I adore them so much) will someday become advanced, like humans of today?

 

Thanks!

 

Humans are the most advanced species on Earth. Our development of critical thinking skills, problem solving skills, use of tools and technology has ensured we are the dominant species on this planet and far superior to any other animal. People ooh and aahh when we see monkeys with some sort of social structure and doing things like making a hammock from branches, yet humans have mastered harnessing power from nuclear energy, creating computers, cars etc. By adapting the technology our predecessors used we advance it even further. Humans use complicated languages and know how to read and write and communicate. Humankind has taken full control of the environment and uses it to it's advantage. No animal species exist that come even close to the level of achievement. Ants and bees and other insects are capable of working in large numbers together for a collective goal, however they are not intelligent. They possess only a hive mind, and individuals do not think or have feelings. Humans possess free will. We have thoughts, emotions, cunning. Animals merely operate on instinct. The human consciousness is amazing on so many levels and it is why we are the premier species.

 

Humans are always evolving. However it's a very slow process. I see no reason why humans should not evolve to be many times more intelligent and resourceful than they are now. It's the logical step forward. Of course that's provided our world and its resources still exist then! Lol.

 

Re: The other animals. No I don't think any other animal will ever develop to be as advanced as humans are. Like I said, it's a very slow process. While dogs are still grappling with the issue of how to operate tools without opposable thumbs, humans will be exploring other galaxies. And, perhaps most importantly, humans won't let another animal evolve to our level. Humans can be evil and murderous. As soon as we are starting to feel threatened, we will exterminate the threat.

[madjac74]

It has also made us troubled and confused, aware of our own limitations and mortality, which leads to suffering in a way no other animal endures. One of the poets said that animals are the true imortals, since they don't have an awareness of their own finite nature. So your little dog is blessed in that way.

 

And he can lick his own balls! Blessed be Fido!

[soccerrprp]

Of course human beings are the most advanced species on earth. Not aliens, not angels, not leprechauns...

[123321]

No, they are both equally important because survival is a prerequisite for reproduction.

 

No, meteor avoidance is critical.

 

"Grandkids are all that matters". Natural selection doesn't care if you are faster or bigger or smaller or whatever unless you are better at making viable offspring, who repeat your success, period. If that is the case, whatever traits make you better at making grandkids are more likely to be expressed in future generations, and that's that.

[florence of suburbia]

We rely on scientists to keep us informed of imminent and serious changes to weather patterns, because we're not naturally attuned to our surroundings and don't benefit from the incredibly sharp senses that other animals have.

 

This is a great example of what humans have become and quite possibly a clue to how the sub-conscious formed. What happened to the animal part of our brains meant to receive data from those sharp animal senses? It's still in there -- just overpowered and buried by human reason.

[HokeyReligions]

I think its subjective. Define "Advanced".

 

Technologically - yes, we have invented more tools than any other species. That is the only absolute of which I can think.

 

Contentment - I would say no because we have also created more worry and stress and dangers (physically, emotionally, spiritually) to our bodies than any other species.

 

Joy - yes and no. There are some humans who are filled with joy most of their lives, but that joy is tempered with fear and deceptions. There are other species which are also filled with joy and which do not know deception or fear.

 

there are so many levels to being. I personally dislike the human race. I hope that it is transitory just as other species are, or were I should say. It is a race capable of such cruelty and torment that I would liken it to a parasite. Some parasites lay dormant and die without the host ever knowing it was there. Humans though - humans are seldom dormant.

[mercy]

This is a great example of what humans have become and quite possibly a clue to how the sub-conscious formed. What happened to the animal part of our brains meant to receive data from those sharp animal senses? It's still in there -- just overpowered and buried by human reason.

 

Reminds me of the old book by Gavin De Becker, Gift of Fear. We do have animal instincts. A wolf would never hesitate when there is danger near, but we do, we even brush it off, we aren't in tune to our pre-incident indicators.

[123321]

And that involves more than being a ladies man.

 

Of course it does, how did you get that from anything I said? The simple fact is, after all your hand waving, that selective pressure still exists today for humans although it's not certain there is enough pressure to drive significant change.

[123321]

Perhaps when you argued with me when I said that selective pressure involved multiple factors (success at survival and reproduction). Now it seems you are pretending that was your position all along.

 

Survival is a prerequisite of reproduction, listing it is the same as listing any number of other things, and the definition you gave listed "competing for resources" which is secondary.

 

All that matters is successful reproduction. Conception is not however reproduction.

 

As for my initial position, I argued that humans do still experience selective pressure, no more no less. Look back if you can't remember.

[pie2]

I think its subjective. Define "Advanced".

 

Technologically - yes, we have invented more tools than any other species. That is the only absolute of which I can think.

 

Contentment - I would say no because we have also created more worry and stress and dangers (physically, emotionally, spiritually) to our bodies than any other species.

 

Joy - yes and no. There are some humans who are filled with joy most of their lives, but that joy is tempered with fear and deceptions. There are other species which are also filled with joy and which do not know deception or fear.

 

there are so many levels to being. I personally dislike the human race. I hope that it is transitory just as other species are, or were I should say. It is a race capable of such cruelty and torment that I would liken it to a parasite. Some parasites lay dormant and die without the host ever knowing it was there. Humans though - humans are seldom dormant.

 

When have the contentment and joy in other species been accurately measured? I personally can't imagine that any other species is aware of feelings of joy.

 

What makes you think that the human race is like a parasite? Because they use resources in the environment? All species do that. Humans are much too dominate to be considered a parasite, imo.

[123321]

Again, the point is that various selective pressures (and there are more than one) can act for and against the same trait. In other words, a trait that increases success at mating can, under some circumstances, provide a detriment to survival. That's selective pressure.

 

I never said any different, of course that's true.

 

All I said is that you were incorrect to say that humans in the modern world were no longer experiencing selective pressure. This is false, we most assuredly do and always will.

 

The fact that some demographics are more prolific by far than others suggests that some selection is taking place but it's not clear precisely how significant that is. Also, DNA is not the ONLY thing that's replicated in a species as complex as humans, perhaps. It's been suggested by some evolutionary biologists that as our brains grew the original replicating machines (genes) began to be joined by other newer replicating things.

 

I don't see speciation in our future due to natural selection but we will probably enhance ourselves as we can in the future. Already those who can afford it are getting cosmetic surgeries and so on.

[pie2]

A parasite upon the planet maybe. We certainly have the ability to kill off our "host".

 

I have heard "virus", which may be a closer comparison.

 

But then again, I think we personify ALL other species to see ourselves in them. We can see ourselves in anything from bees to whales.

 

As horrible as news portrays the doom and gloom of global warming and dwindling resources, humans do have the wherewithal to turn things around. Other animals are pretty defenseless when their food supply runs out, so they die out until the supply can support them.

[florence of suburbia]

Taramere's idea about a superhuman robot race made me think of one of my favorite Bowie songs: David Bowie - Oh! You Pretty Things - YouTube

 

Look out at your children

See their faces in golden rays

Don't kid yourself they belong to you

They're the start of the coming race

The earth is a bytch

We've finished our news

Homo Sapiens have outgrown their use

All the strangers came today

And it looks as though they're here to stay

 

Oh you pretty things don't you know you're driving your mamas and papas insane. Let me make it plain, gotta make way for the Homo Superior.

[TooHonest123]

Intellectually Humans are the most dominant on planet earth, which takes us to the top of the food chain . If you look at the animal kingdom mamals developed larger brains and can therefore preform more complex tasks. But in phyisical attributes Dogs sniff better, Dolphins have two breathing tunnels , snakes have infra-red vision, birds fly, sharks are sensitive to electric fields..some insects have exoskeletons used as armor and support...which are things we do not have.

 

When it comes down to it there is no animal in this planet that can rival in any way our intellectual capacities. We are bipedal, are able to make tools/machines , and most importantly have language as a method of communication and passing information from one generation to the next.

Edited September 17, 2012 by TooHonest123