What are the goals of the human species and what they should be?

[nowarbutclasswar]

What are they?

[CornetJoyce]

Nirvana

[Smyg]

Happiness and enlightenment.

[OHumanista]

Communism, sex, food,drinks, games and knowledge. :D(or whatever you prefer)

[Vanguard1917]

"increasing the power of man over nature and [abolishing] the power of man over man."
- Trotsky (http://www.marxists.org/archive/trotsky/1938/morals/morals.htm)

[DarkPast]

Survival - and to have a good time while were at it.

[Hit The North]

To partay.

[nowarbutclasswar]

what about space exploration, medical and scientific breakthroughs, technological advancements, justice, equality etc.... don't you think the sooner we as a species develop some priorities we'll advance quicker as a civilization?

[rundontwalk]

what about space exploration, medical and scientific breakthroughs, technological advancements, justice, equality etc.... don't you think the sooner we as a species develop some priorities we'll advance quicker as a civilization?
We're going to have to colonize space outside of our solar system somewhat soonish, as the sun is going to go boom here in a few billion years. :lol:

So space exploration should be a priority for sure.

[nowarbutclasswar]

We're going to have to colonize space outside of our solar system somewhat soonish, as the sun is going to go boom here in a few billion years. :lol:

So space exploration should be a priority for sure.

hahaha how about in less than a hundred years the population of earth will double

[Rafiq]

There isn't one.

Humans are just a bunch of sort of intelligent apes. Dirty monkeys, is what we all are. I think it is a goal for all of us to survive, though.

[nowarbutclasswar]

ok let me rephrase the question:

Do you think that the current system which is heavily based on capital accumulation impedes our progress in terms of scientific advancements? For example, look how much money is spent on national defence. That is money that could be spent on curing AIDS, NASA, CERN etc. And also, if in the future we build a society which is much more equal and just, what would our goals be then?

[Tenka]

The goal of the human species, as of any species, is to survive.
There are some things we could do in the short term to help ensure this goal in the long term, such as: abolish class society (proletarise the peasants, eliminate the bourgeoisie and then the proletariat); devote massive resources to scientific endeavours (possibly find a way to secure ourselves against global warming, colonise other planets, make ourselves biologically immortal and sag-proof, etc.); eliminate sexism, racism and nationalism (transphobia and homophobia are derived from fundamentally sexist world-views).
Got any more?

Do you think that the current system which is heavily based on capital accumulation impedes our progress in terms of scientific advancements? For example, look how much money is spent on national defence. That is money that could be spent on curing AIDS, NASA, CERN etc. And also, if in the future we build a society which is much more equal and just, what would our goals be then?
Yes, and see above.

[Ose]

In one sense, of course, there cannot be any goal.

In another, continuation of the species is the most important thing. Aside from that the idea is for all members of the species to have the most pleasant life possible (maximal happiness and minimal suffering, as long as the two do not conflict). We should collectively pursue anything that advances this cause, communism being the most important factor.

[aristos]

Ever-increasing sapience and cultural sophistication.
After all, increasing sophistication is the only constant developmental force since the beginning of the universe.
Also overcoming species-based limitations: transhumanism.

[Princess Luna]

eat, shit, fuck, and die

[tfb]

Establish communism throughout the universe, travel time, establish communism throughout all of time, invent artificially intelligent androids who can reproduce (by building more androids), carve an entire planet into a gigantic sculpture, rearrange some stars into cool patterns, develop pseudo-telepathy, figure out a way to give people orgasms for however long they want (e.g. an entire day) without killing them, eliminate the need for sleep, teach animals how to talk, make quiddich happen irl with rocket brooms, create a scale model of Earth that's the size of a basketball and even has microscopic robot people on it, figure out how to teach people everything ever instantly, perfect health and immortality for everyone (if they want it), carry out a voluntary eugenics program in a way that ends up giving the descendants of the people involved 4 working arms each, stop making electronics that have lights on all the time (for the sake of people's sleep), control the environment on Earth completely (so that if, say, some people live in a boring place, they could have some mountains and waterfalls added, or cycle through the 4 seasons every 4 days), Vocaloid holograms only you can see who follow you around and sing whatever song you want (like an MP3-player).

[Vanguard1917]

The goal of the human species, as of any species, is to survive.

Survival is a rubbish 'goal' (billions survive under capitalism, after all). A worthwhile radical movement would need to aim a lot higher.

[tir1944]

Communism of course!
Also Space colonization.

[Aloysius]

To fuck as much as humanly possible.

[ColonelCossack]

I don't think there is one. It's a bit like saying, "What's the meaning of life", or "why are we here?". There is no reason. We just are. Assuming that there is some kind of reason for our existence, or aim, or meaning, strikes me as pretty idealist.

Space exploration and communism, etc, are definitely things to go for though. :p

[ericksolvi]

what about space exploration, medical and scientific breakthroughs, technological advancements, justice, equality etc.... don't you think the sooner we as a species develop some priorities we'll advance quicker as a civilization?

The goal of man should be to reach beyond himself. To overcome humanity and be that which is over man.

Those who have said that pleasure (sex, food, happiness) is the goal are victims of programming. The ruling elite knowing that a mass desire for true freedom/happiness is a danger to them have found ways to plant a false idea of freedom/happiness. Pleasure and complete freedom from authority are goals for children, that only serve our oppressors. As some of you read this you will feel bitter hatred for me/my ideas. I only seek to bring you utopia. Ask yourself is your rejection constructive to the cause.

True freedom is based upon a desire for that which is rational (truth and knowledge). The rational can accept reasonable limitations on their personal freedom, that serve the greater good. Irrational loathing of all authority is a planted desire, a way to divide our movement.

Above the entrance to Plato's academy hung the words "Let none Pass here who have not studied Mathematics". He was not strictly speaking about math as we think of it. To Plato true justice was based on a mathematical way of looking at the world. Cold, authoritarian, and inhuman as that may seem, it is just. True justice makes true freedom. Emotional idealism keeps people from achieving mathematical reasoning.

The best communistic system would place the good of the community above the desires of the individual. In fact it would place the good of the individual above the desires of the individual. This means that society has the right to use force to prevent an individual from doing harm to self or others, and would be remiss if it failed to do so.

These concepts are not out of line with Marx. Marx saw a world where force was used for the benefit of the bourgeoisie elite, and condemned that kind of authoritarianism. Condemnation of the existing police as capitalist enforcers, does not mean that there will be no police post revolution. The revolution will need an army to defend it from outside attack, and police to defend it from internal sabotage.

To achieve true human liberation you must overcome your falls ideas about what liberation is. Flawed beliefs about what freedom is are in fact part of a cage that holds you back from true freedom. Justice and freedom are not people running around stoned out of their minds naked, because that's what feels good to them.

We will all truly be free when we can bow down to one another and swear that we will all place the good of the whole above our petty desires. Freedom through submission to the greater good will save the human race. The arrogance of self must die so that the glory of the selfless may rise.

[Nox]

Our ultimate goal is to become a type-three civilization; to be an indestructible, immortal species.

[Decolonize The Left]

There is no "goal" for the human species. The human species is like any other species, a result of condition and evolution. There is no "goal" to evolution by natural selection as it is a process, not a thing.

That said, the purpose of all life is the furthering of the gene pool: survival.

- August

[Rocky Rococo]

Human beings are one means among many that DNA uses to reproduce itself.

[Mather]

The goal of man should be to reach beyond himself. To overcome humanity and be that which is over man.

Those who have said that pleasure (sex, food, happiness) is the goal are victims of programming. The ruling elite knowing that a mass desire for true freedom/happiness is a danger to them have found ways to plant a false idea of freedom/happiness. Pleasure and complete freedom from authority are goals for children, that only serve our oppressors. As some of you read this you will feel bitter hatred for me/my ideas. I only seek to bring you utopia. Ask yourself is your rejection constructive to the cause.

True freedom is based upon a desire for that which is rational (truth and knowledge). The rational can accept reasonable limitations on their personal freedom, that serve the greater good. Irrational loathing of all authority is a planted desire, a way to divide our movement.

Above the entrance to Plato's academy hung the words "Let none Pass here who have not studied Mathematics". He was not strictly speaking about math as we think of it. To Plato true justice was based on a mathematical way of looking at the world. Cold, authoritarian, and inhuman as that may seem, it is just. True justice makes true freedom. Emotional idealism keeps people from achieving mathematical reasoning.

The best communistic system would place the good of the community above the desires of the individual. In fact it would place the good of the individual above the desires of the individual. This means that society has the right to use force to prevent an individual from doing harm to self or others, and would be remiss if it failed to do so.

These concepts are not out of line with Marx. Marx saw a world where force was used for the benefit of the bourgeoisie elite, and condemned that kind of authoritarianism. Condemnation of the existing police as capitalist enforcers, does not mean that there will be no police post revolution. The revolution will need an army to defend it from outside attack, and police to defend it from internal sabotage.

To achieve true human liberation you must overcome your falls ideas about what liberation is. Flawed beliefs about what freedom is are in fact part of a cage that holds you back from true freedom. Justice and freedom are not people running around stoned out of their minds naked, because that's what feels good to them.

We will all truly be free when we can bow down to one another and swear that we will all place the good of the whole above our petty desires. Freedom through submission to the greater good will save the human race. The arrogance of self must die so that the glory of the selfless may rise.


What an utter load of reactionary crap.

Your idea of 'utopia' sounds like hell.

[Bloodwerk]

Happiness, freedom, love , enlightenment, peace, mutual understanding, making the world a better place for everyone.

^ I doubt any of the above are possible while capitalism is still around:lol:

[Veovis]

Survival and propagation - same as any other species.

[El Louton]

To love.

[The Dark Side of the Moon]

Survival - and to have a good time while were at it.
couldn't say it better myself

[Azraella]

I don't know what meaning or purpose we have to life could possibly be. I don't think it's as simple as many Christians seem to believe. Yes, I believe there is a purpose to life. I have contemplated this issue for years. From a religious perspective and from a philosophical perspective. I am very fond of the story of Parzival and Amfortas. Every person should be able to see both in their being. All humans are the Innocent Fool and the Wounded King.

Parzival's life is one of toil after an initial start of great promise. He is raised by his mother Hertzeloyde (whose name translates as heart's sorrow). Mark that. It is an important sign. She does not want him to engage the world at all, but should it befall that she fails to stop him, only on terms that she determines. She means well; she is a doting mother, but she has created a personal, tight-knit set in a forest, on a farm, an unnatural world, quite deliberately in order to protect him from the world not so much because she loves her son but because she is heartbroken.

Eventually, as Parzival, the Innocent Fool, untutored in the ways of the world reaches mid-teens and his manhood arises in him, he sees the world of men pass by his farm and determines to break free. He leaves home, taking with him only the lessons he has gained from his limited experience. This has consisted mainly of play, often against animal prey that he hunts and which gives him sound hunter skills.

He has to take manhood, as there is no one around to give it to him. He understands this from his mother, the one who doesn't like fighting. And he has to fight, literally, to gain acceptance into the men's world and to maintain his Integrity in it. He must be his own man. It is his first step. Young Parzival has no idea how to go about it but with a total lack of finesse he is spectacularly successful right from the start. Successful, after a fashion. He becomes a knight in less than a month, through both his own stumbling ineptitude and fortuitous efforts, and it is at great cost to another man, who, on cue, he picks a fight with and kills. Manhood is passed from one man to another, often at great cost.

You see, he has no way of determining one man from another. . He does not know what a good man is. He sees only armor and strength. The man inside the armor is an unknown to him. He is quite unaware of what is inside himself. He does not know himself. Parzival kills a reasonably good man. An honorable man. And he steals his armor. A good man gone, replaced by an untested and rather dim lad. That's me, once.

Young Percy is sent out on the Quest to find the Holy Grail. It is at the command of the King and so he goes, along with all the other Knights, of course. They, like him, travel alone, independent, to all the corners of the world. They are united in a brotherhood. It is the beginning of a Philosophy for him. A purpose in life. It is Divinely ordered. Not much like today. Maybe we are going backwards. The grail he is searching for is the Meaning and Power of Life. It is the Light of the Spirit. It affords us Full Consciousness. It can cure all the ills of the world and restore the kingdom. That is to be the Task of Man. Their task is to find it. It is our task.

It is a journey into ourselves. A discovery of who we are as people. We have to seek out that treasure that lies deep within us. It is a bigger task than defeating capitalism or even oppression, and defeating those can only be done by fully conscious people.

On the first evening out on the Quest he meets his uncle Amfortas, who he has never met before, and who is the Guardian of the Grail. He is the Wounded King inside all of us. Parzival had not a clue about this. Amfortas is an old man, very wise, slow, careful, dignified, after a long career as a knight and king, and he is severely wounded. He has the Wound; the same wound all people have. Few people even recognise that they are wounded. He is ambulatory, with difficulty (a bit like me), and rarely leaves his rooms (also a bit like me). At dinner that evening Parcival sees the Grail paraded through the Hall. He sees and takes benefit from the Cornucopia that can feed and sustain the World. All we have is the gift that people provide from their own meager resources. But were we to discover our real manhood, our deep humanity, we could restore the world. But young Parzival fails to ask two fundamental questions. The first was about his Uncle's obvious distress (remembering his mothers rules) and this is the first fault that prevents the Grail passing into his possession. Men still do not ask other men the decent question, the compassionate question.

The second, which is what the vast majority of people fail to ask was “Who does the Grail serve?" It was vital. Next day everything is gone.

Parzival spends the rest of his life trying to find it again. A long and arduous life, with its ups and downs, successes and failures, material gains and losses.

He meets his half-brother, his father's and Belcane's son, the piebald Fierefiz, the half-cast; the man who is different. A man as good and as honorable as himself and carrying the same father's genes. He fights him. Of course.

Percy fails to defeat Fierefiz but they part as equals. It is an equality of failure to overcome their own hubris. We must do better. We must refuse to play the game in order to win the prizes. We must play a different game with for different prizes, conscious of what effect we have.

Our consciousness of self is barely better than the old Greeks. We as people, must become more conscious, so that we greet our brothers and sisters and ride alongside them, despite our ancestor's baggage.

Young Parzival suffered profound disappointment all of his life. He travelled widely but he struggled with a native immorality largely inherited but constantly and deleteriously re-inforced by most of the men he encountered. He tries hard to be a man and serve his King. It is his Duty. His Purpose. He had expectations, but no internal moral map.

He lived in a world in turmoil that had no maps. The human heart is the landscape he travelled through which was, and still is beset by war. It is the same war that goes on inside us all. He journeyed painfully. As all men do. And he rarely had another man to trust enough to teach him the right paths to travel.

I chose the word disappointment for Parzival deliberately. Yes there is a moral judgement aspect to it but I meant it as a feeling. That dissatisfaction and disappointment are as easily projected onto others as guilt is projected onto others. We MUST be careful to own our own feelings and not cast them onto others.

This happens in our modern era. It is all very well saying that I have expectations and therefore open myself to disappointment but that smacks too much of a pseudo-guru-speak to me. We all have expectations and most are perfectly reasonable.

I generally expect no more of others than I expect of myself, and most often a little less. I expect a little more, too, from people I look up to and those who claim a position that impacts upon me. I get disappointed, as Parzival was, because I am an emotional being. All people are. We get angry and we love. It is our anger and our love.

Too many people reject emotion altogether and don armor to hide within. People must harness their emotion. Who does the Grail serve?

A major aspect of maturity which is a significant ‘missing in action’ factor is this issue of morality. It was an aspect in Parzival's life that he found only by being beaten near unto death and being cared for in the forest by an old Hermit.

Is it only through such hardships that we gain Character? Over his life, Percy developed character. Today people are lauded for being characters, like wise-guys and spivs and celebrities. I am making a judgement here. A moral judgment. I am told that I do that. I don't care.

I and you – have EVERY right to judge. It is a higher-order adult skill and ability and necessity. You have a DUTY as an human being to understand what morality is and abide by moral standards upon which Judgment depends. It is a significant part of a human being's ‘journey’, to explore with morality like a navigator of old and through its substance, understand the world.

So, sometimes I write as that foolish boy, Parzival, the younger man and the middle-aged man, who found it all and lost it all and struggles on, angry and tired, searching. He is and always was a Warrior. His sword is part of his arm. He used it until he, too, was quite old. People can identify with Parzival as I do with them. He learned from life, living it poorly and ignorantly, as I have.

And sometimes I write as Old Amfortas, knowing what it is that I have charge over that Insight and Consciousness and Morality. A glimpse of it at any rate. I see it paraded before me, going to the even greater Man in the back rooms. Few have that. Very few. I teach. People call me a Fool. They would do better to ask the questions. Few do.
----
Sorry for the ramble, but that's what I think.

[Adorno4498]

Goal:
To accept the fact that there is none planned out by nature and make things better for ourselves on the inevitable decline to omnicide. Love one another. Remember that even though there are times when the goal equality of our relations (ie socialism) between each other takes precedence over the desire of the individual, when the goal of equality of relations sacrifices or tries to sacrifice the universal rights of the individual (the right to live, the right to freedom from infringement of the body and the right to expression), the universality of such a "greater good" should be questioned, because the "greater good" fluctuates with the society surrounding it.

[Meridian]

That said, the purpose of all life is the furthering of the gene pool: survival
Whether that is true rests upon the meaning of the word "purpose" which you employ.

We know that only people can have a purpose, as in pursuing a goal. A thing can have a purpose behind its creation. An event can have been brought about with a purpose, an intent.

So, if you are using it similar to a 'goal', you would be antopomorphizing all other races besides humans, as well as attributing a single goal to all people, in which case I would be interested in seeing all the supportive research you presumably have conducted.

If you are using it as describing the intended function of all life, the question would be "who's intention"? And we know only humans can have intentions behind creations (let's say at the very least 'beings'). Are you proposing there is some sort of human who is the source of all life, and who by his/her creation had the intention of 'furthering the gene pool'?

[Nothing Human Is Alien]

I thought this was going to be an in-depth discussion of something like Nietzsche's "will to power."

... and then I remembered I was on RevLeft.

[Zukunftsmusik]

I thought this was going to be an in-depth discussion of something like Nietzsche's "will to power."


Okay, go on then. What did Nietzsche mean with "will to power" and what has it to do with "the goals of human species"?

[Yuppie Grinder]

To fuck as much as humanly possible.
This.
Also, this is for each individual to decide for themselves.

[Ocean Seal]

What are they?
I don't really think about it too much. I don't think that they can be figured out at this point in time.

[Game Girl]

I can't speak for anyone, let alone the entire human race.

But for me, I just want to live a happy life and enjoy it as much as I can. A life with no regrets.

[gorillafuck]

there is no goal for the human species.

[Aflameoffreedom]

The means of production and of satisfaction of all needs of society, having been created by the common effort of all, must be at the disposal of all. The private appropriation of requisites for production is neither just nor beneficial. All must be placed on the same footing as producers and consumer of wealth. That will be the only way for society to step out of the bad conditions which have been created by centuries of wars and oppression. That will be the only guarantee for further progress in a direction of EQUALITY and FREEDOM, which have always been the real, although unspoken goal of humanity. – Peter Kropotkin

[Aflameoffreedom]

However, our added goal now should be to prevent the further development of the human induced sixth mass extinction, the revolutionary left must acknowledge there will be no communism, socialism, and or anarchy on a dead planet. Which is only possible by crushing capitalism under the proletarian axe!!!

[lombas]

There is no purpose, not even "survival".

[dodger]

There is no purpose, not even "survival".

Well that killed stone dead what I was about to say lombas. Em. The big S word. What have I been doing the last 64yrs? I'll go away and ruminate.

[lombas]

Well that killed stone dead what I was about to say lombas. Em. The big S word. What have I been doing the last 64yrs? I'll go away and ruminate.

You have probably been living a life based on your own purposes (possibly shared with others that are near to you).

The fact that there is purpose for "us" being here doesn't mean you can't find a purpose for "you" being here.

But yes, I would say there's no harm done in committing suicide right now. You wouldn't disturb "the human goal".

Just ehm, well, don't do that.

:D

[Ostrinski]

As with all species, our task is to sustain ourselves.

[Yefim Zverev]

There isn't one.

Humans are just a bunch of sort of intelligent apes. Dirty monkeys, is what we all are. I think it is a goal for all of us to survive, though.

good grief

[thriller]

To destroy the planet and all life on it. Nothing we do better.

[Deicide]

We're badly evolved apes. Apes need food, shelter and to reproduce.

We'll eventually be annihilated (Asteroids, Supernovas, collision between the milky way and andromeda, etc, etc.) like the insignificant specks of meat that we are, irrespective of what we believe or do.

Happy days.

[kevster03]

Survival and learning long term.

We need to tear down the inertia of the last 10,000 yrs of human history and start anew.

We have gotten to this point, but what's next? How do you have that conversation with a species?

Btw I love this topic. :D

[AmericanCommie421]

Live your life as happily as you can, however you see fit, as long as it doesn't infringe on the lives of other people.

[Yefim Zverev]

best topic ever.
honestly

I really do not understand why there is not much discussion going on here and you rather talk about stalin vs trotsky or some post-modern crap.

[ColonelCossack]

There is no aim. We don't even know if we control our own actions. We're just a natural phenomenon. It doesn't mean anything. We're just an incomprehensibly infinitesimal speck that the universe doesn't give a shit about, because it's inanimate. If we're destroyed, the outcome doesn't change. Baryons decay in 10 to the whatever years regardless of whether we all perish in global thermonuclear war, or reach level III on the Kardashev scale. Life and complex biochemistry isn't really any different from ordinary chemistry. Nothing "means" anything. That assertion is just a product of "consciousness". The concept of existence doesn't even mean anything; I'm no existentialist, though. The atoms in a brain aren't any different from the atoms in an interstellar molecular cloud.

Any other claim is meaningless idealism.

http://dystopianworld.com/simplemachinesforum/Smileys/default/suicide.gif

Edit: realised I already posted in this thread lol :p

[ColonelCossack]

As with all species, our task is to sustain ourselves.

But why?

[Sans]

This question (of the topic name) has a fundamental problem, which is that it is posed on the philosophy forum. A philosophy forum will give a metaphysical backdrop to the question, which makes even answering it the work of an essentialist doomed for failure.

However, the opinion of every one of you of the question properly posed most likely appears in the fact that you are on this site.


As with all species, our task is to sustain ourselves.
Who has given us this task? Recall that evolution is not something/someone who can assign tasks.

[Vigilante]

The ultimate goals of human species are simply survival, fun and power.

[MotherCossack]

I don't think there is one. It's a bit like saying, "What's the meaning of life", or "why are we here?". There is no reason. We just are. Assuming that there is some kind of reason for our existence, or aim, or meaning, strikes me as pretty idealist.

Space exploration and communism, etc, are definitely things to go for though. :p

why.... son.... the day you were born [or before] i suddenly realized what my gaol was.... or a big part of it......
it was to have as many darling little me's as possible. then instill good habits in them, and hopefuully produce a brood of well-adjusted individuas

[The Jay]

why.... son.... the day you were born [or before] i suddenly realized what my gaol was.... or a big part of it......
it was to have as many darling little me's as possible. then instill good habits in them, and hopefuully produce a brood of well-adjusted individuas

That's a highly subjective claim and can only be said of you personally. It's nice that you found a reason, but are you saying that the human race's purpose is to make more humans?

[MotherCossack]

That's a highly subjective claim and can only be said of you personally. It's nice that you found a reason, but are you saying that the human race's purpose is to make more humans?


well i would have thought that we possess some sort of programming that encourages procreation... to ensure the survival of our species....
that is why sex is so delightful....surely.
if it were a terrible drag... well we wouldnt do it and that would soon be that.
anyway having sex knowing that you are actively seeking to be impregnated and produce another human.... i dont know but in my experience it definitely makes the whole thing even more awesome and splendiferous, in a very slightly strange way.

to conclude.... i am saying that it is our purpose.... one of them....
but in recent times life has got more complicated... we have so many distractions.... it is no longer enough to produce offspring.....
i feel i need to do something that i am proud of ... something to show them that i am worthy of respect, as a parent and as a woman.

[MustCrushCapitalism]

Perhaps, you know, abolish the worldwide system that ensures that the spoils of every single achievement of mankind will be placed into the hands of a small group of humans for their own profit, at the expense of most of us?

I don't think many realize this, but capitalism would lead to turning some very vital things humanity needs to accomplish into profitable enterprises. When we need to begin terraforming, colonizing, and populating other worlds, do you honestly think that this would ever occur without private enterprise exploiting the situation for their own profit?

[fabian]

Two ideals should be the goals of everyone's live in particular and of the human race in general: survival and happiness.

Epicurean ascetism, orthopathy, and green cooperative socialism are the means to achieve both.