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ANNOTATION:
The Coming Test of Reason
The assumptions made in the section on "Global integration"
are certainly noble ones, however they stimulate ironic response
along with admiration.
As we resolve to work in our private and community spheres
of influence to live ever more ecoconsciously and to exhort those
around us to do the same, we can't help but wonder secretly
whether we are going to achieve enough and achieve it in time.
Will the masses of humanity be reasonable, disciplined, and
informed enough to endorse, support, and practice the habits
that coherent, effective management of the Earth will require
if we are to survive?
Many short-sighted political and corporate leaders seek only
markets and the increase of capital ---- and ultimately power
(in the political sense of the word, of course). They not only
do not respect the global ecosystem, they are only grudgingly
aware of the concept of it.
Therefore, in a way that is partly interesting, but much
more frightening, we are approaching a deeply significant test
of the mode of human thinking and behaving that we call "reason".
Can reasonable people persuade enough of the public to take up
an ecology-conscious lifestyle to stem the tidal wave of
pollution overwhelming our planet? Will humanity change its ways
in time to stave off a major human population "downsizing"(or
even extinction)?
In short: Will reason defeat greed?
Author: Andrew Lynn (andrewl77[ at ]hotmail.com)
Date: Dec 17, 2000REPLY: evolutionomics
The previous annotation sums up several of my thoughts on the cybernetic manifesto. I also think it is important to differentiate between science and reason. Yes, both are important in assuring the existence and determining the role of humanity in the future, but it seems to me that science is quite a function of capitalism. This has resulted in progress being defined more in terms of economics than evolution. There is a major disparity here, in that economic progress denotes the success of the individual (be it an individual group or a person), while evolutionary progress, that of the human race. BUT. If 'integration' was to occur, as it is defined by the manifesto, then it might seem that all of humanity would fall into one 'group' and through human reason, these two paths would theoretically converge. This is not however consistent with the theory behind capitalism. So humanity is in a difficult position because the global capitalist system is the engine behind both our evolution and our doom. Indeed: Will reason defeat greed?
Author: Andrew Lynn (andrewl77[ at ]hotmail.com)
Date: Dec 17, 2000REPLY: evolutionomics
The previous annotation sums up several of my thoughts on the cybernetic manifesto. I also think it is important to differentiate between science and reason. Yes, both are important in assuring the existence and determining the role of humanity in the future, but it seems to me that science is quite a function of capitalism. This has resulted in progress being defined more in terms of economics than evolution. There is a major disparity here, in that economic progress denotes the success of the individual (be it an individual group or a person), while evolutionary progress, that of the human race. BUT. If 'integration' was to occur, as it is defined by the manifesto, then it might seem that all of humanity would fall into one 'group' and through human reason, these two paths would theoretically converge. This is not however consistent with the theory behind capitalism. So humanity is in a difficult position because the global capitalist system is the engine behind both our evolution and our doom. Indeed: Will reason defeat greed?
Copyright© 1997 Principia Cybernetica -
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