Civilization is a biolgocal profligacy!

[charles brough]

In the rest of the world, over-abundance, then epigenetic change and over-crowding are normally controlled by predators. In us, we have the modes of Malthus: of disease, famine and war. It would appear that the very success of civilization defeats both nature and our selves. It is a biological profligacy.

 

Is it really possible to deal with this by humanistic means?

 

charles

the Atheistic Science Institute - home page

[froggy]

civilization defeats ... nature

Here is my take.

Civilization is humans defence against Hobbes 'cold universe of dog eat dog'. Its sole purpose is to build an ever more sterile environment against the ugly uncivilized environment. First its a cave to defend against sabor toothed tigers, then its draining the marsh to farm and get rid of blood suckers, then its sterilizing soap, ... each evolutionary step steps on all other lifeforms to become in ever more control of our claims. A claim, which left unchecked, never has to end.

 

Thus, civilization is the opposite of nature. I suppose the future proof is that humans leave the earth on a metalic spaceship eating GMO soylent green mix on a trip thru the stars, powered by the stars.

[charles brough]

Seems like a good assessment of civilization also. Yes, we do try to escape from living on the edge of starvation and avoiding predators, That is "nature." But, of course, we really do not escape nature even so. We are the predator, and too much success leads to over-kill and population crash just like with the rest of the animal kingdom.