As birds have flight human’s special gift is reason. Part of - TopicsExpress



          

As birds have flight human’s special gift is reason. Part of that reason drives the intelligence that allows us to, say, figure out and master DNA or to build massive power plants. But our reason might also keep us from blindly following the biological imperatives toward endless growth in numbers and territory. Our reason allows us to conceive of our species as a species, and to recognize the danger that our growth poses to it, and to feel something for the other species we threaten. Should we so choose, we could exercise our reason to do what no other animal can do: we limit ourselves voluntarily, choose to remain God’s creatures instead of making ourselves gods. What a towering achievement that would be, so much more impressive than the largest dam (beavers can build dams) because it’s so much harder. Such restraint- not genetic engineering or planetary management – is the real challenge, the hard thing. Of course we can splice genes, but can we not splice genes? The momentum of our impulse to control nature may be too strong to stop. But the likelihood of defeat is not an excuse to avoid trying. ...from "The End of Nature"
Posted on: Sat, 31 Aug 2013 14:06:57 +0000

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