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Cyanobacteria achieved the ability to destroy the ecosphere and actually did it, leading to one of the greatest mass extinctions in history. Did they have the

Cyanobacteria achieved the ability to destroy the ecosphere and actually did it, leading to one of the greatest mass extinctions in history. Did they have the "duty of a steward" regarding the ecosphere? No. Neither do humans. There is no such duty. We would be wise to maintain an ecosphere we find livable and convenient. Possibly, even probably, this includes protecting natural diversity and endangered species. We don't have to, of course. Humans are organisms like any other and organisms often engage in behavior that leads to their eventual extinction. I personally would also prefer that we try to maintain 'natural' ecosystems and diversity as much as possible. But that is merely a preference. In nature, might makes right. We're a part of nature like any other. Killing big game (even for recreation, not just for food), a human behavior that goes back hundreds of thousands of years, is certainly not a mental illness. It might be wise (if you have the preferences mentioned above) to institute laws and norms against engaging in that behavior, particularly towards vulnerable species, but that doesn't make it an illness.

trhway 11y ago
>Cyanobacteria achieved the ability to destroy the ecosphere and actually did it, leading to one of the greatest mass extinctions in history. >Did they have the "duty of a steward" regarding the ecosphere? >No. Neither do humans. There is no such duty. How about the alien civilization controlling our sector of the galaxy - do they have the stewardship duty, in particular not damping toxic waste onto our planet, not hunting us? >In nature, might makes right. until a species develops to the stage when it recognizes that "right" has different definition. >Killing big game (even for recreation, not just for food), a human behavior that goes back hundreds of thousands of years, is certainly not a mental illness. Mental illness is a deviation from reasonable behavior for the species. It may have been reasonable yesterday, and not hunting was sign of abnormality back then. Time change and species change with it. We left a lot of things in the past which today would be considered a sign of mental illness, like human sacrifice for example.
- Amezarak 11y ago
  > How about the alien civilization controlling our sector of the galaxy - do they have the stewardship duty, in particular not damping toxic waste onto our planet, not hunting us? No. I would certainly hope they don't hunt us or use Earth as a dump, but there is no duty for them to not do so, or some kind of inherent right enshrined in cosmic law for us to have undisturbed development. > until a species develops to the stage when it recognizes that "right" has different definition. There is no development towards some kind of ideal morality. That's a colossally egocentric view to take. I'd say it's even rather ethnocentric since there are some cultures who, generally speaking, have quite different views than you do. > We left a lot of things in the past which today would be considered a sign of mental illness, like human sacrifice for example. Did we really? Perhaps the rituals and names have changed, but imaginary alien anthropologists would not see much difference between abortion, martyrdom, death penalties, mob killings, voluntary euthanasia, some kinds of homicide, and the kinds of human sacrifice that occurred in our past. To be sure we would make our excuses, but the peoples of the past who committed human sacrifice also did not consider it abnormal or wrong and sometimes were so convinced of their duty they volunteered themselves for sacrifice.

trhway 11y ago

>Cyanobacteria achieved the ability to destroy the ecosphere and actually did it, leading to one of the greatest mass extinctions in history. >Did they have the "duty of a steward" regarding the ecosphere? >No. Neither do humans. There is no such duty. How about the alien civilization controlling our sector of the galaxy - do they have the stewardship duty, in particular not damping toxic waste onto our planet, not hunting us? >In nature, might makes right. until a species develops to the stage when it recognizes that "right" has different definition. >Killing big game (even for recreation, not just for food), a human behavior that goes back hundreds of thousands of years, is certainly not a mental illness. Mental illness is a deviation from reasonable behavior for the species. It may have been reasonable yesterday, and not hunting was sign of abnormality back then. Time change and species change with it. We left a lot of things in the past which today would be considered a sign of mental illness, like human sacrifice for example.

Amezarak 11y ago
> How about the alien civilization controlling our sector of the galaxy - do they have the stewardship duty, in particular not damping toxic waste onto our planet, not hunting us? No. I would certainly hope they don't hunt us or use Earth as a dump, but there is no duty for them to not do so, or some kind of inherent right enshrined in cosmic law for us to have undisturbed development. > until a species develops to the stage when it recognizes that "right" has different definition. There is no development towards some kind of ideal morality. That's a colossally egocentric view to take. I'd say it's even rather ethnocentric since there are some cultures who, generally speaking, have quite different views than you do. > We left a lot of things in the past which today would be considered a sign of mental illness, like human sacrifice for example. Did we really? Perhaps the rituals and names have changed, but imaginary alien anthropologists would not see much difference between abortion, martyrdom, death penalties, mob killings, voluntary euthanasia, some kinds of homicide, and the kinds of human sacrifice that occurred in our past. To be sure we would make our excuses, but the peoples of the past who committed human sacrifice also did not consider it abnormal or wrong and sometimes were so convinced of their duty they volunteered themselves for sacrifice.