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Yes, if you use wishy washy terms like "mother earth" then everything can treated as abstract and distant. I care about humans and want them to survive and pro
by 7952 5y ago
Yes, if you use wishy washy terms like "mother earth" then everything can treated as abstract and distant.
I care about humans and want them to survive and prosper. I care about wildlife and don't want species to be killed. And as humans we can use culture to go beyond our in-built programming. Ideas can spread. That does make us different to other species. That is not arrogant, it is just the truth.
- titzer 5y agoLiterally thousands of species, from coyotes to whales to crows, teach their young survival behaviors and have "culture". The more we look at our fellow DNA-based creatures on the planet, the less special we are. Personally, I think if you really cared about humans, you'd be interested in understanding and valuing the complex and fragile lifeforms that are being trampled by our current prevailing societal attitude of consumption and perpetual growth and preserving those fragile things for future humans to enjoy, instead of being mindless consumers disconnected from nature. Jeesh, as if no humans in history had fulfilling lives without potato chips, bottled water, and endless online entertainment.
- 7952 5y agoHumans can spread ideas massively better than other species. Our phenotype is distinct among extant species. Just like plants are distinct from animals. I say that as a matter of fact rather that trying to suggest any particular moral implications of that. Our distinctness does not automatically mean we are special. And our lack of genetic specialness does mean that humans are worthless. I absolutely agree that understanding life is amazing and even essential to our future. That in itself is an idea that couldn't possibly have existed without the distinctive ability to communicate I mentioned above.