Are humans too intelligent for their own good?

Question

Why should we be aware that we desire things that elude us, that there is suffering, that life is not fair, when we cannot do anything to change these facts? We are aware of the problems of being human, and yet are incapable of fixing them. And in the end, it may not matter that we were aware of these things anyway...

Answer 1

Some people believe that the human capacity for such meta-reasoning is a side-effect of our evolution. Our ability to out-think our prey and rival hunters, combined with an opposable digit, conspired to give us the ability to ponder our own inefficacy. Nice, eh? So, I don't think there is a "should," to answer your question. If your final musing is correct, that it doesn't matter in the end anyway, then there is no significance to any of it, and where do shoulds and should-nots fit into that?

Would that be called "physiological determinism"? Likely, but I don't really keep up. However we got into such mess that we are "beings who can conceive of their not-being" (Heidegger), we nevertheless have the capacity to take responsibility for what we do with that capacity, like it or not. Maybe it gives us the ability to self-determine, though the principle/cause of that ability remains the Mystery.

Answer 2

So far, I have not been impressed by the intelligence of naked apes. I've met some impressive individuals, but as a group, they differ very little from other simians. For example, there is a huge parade of us marching toward the edge of destruction of our beautiful little planet, and we are ALL in it. It looks like we'll all march off the edge like a bunch of stampeding cattle. The whole universe chuckles whenever we claim to be intelligent. The other monkeys find us ridiculous, if somewhat less than amusing.

However, humans have limitless potential for beauty, inner growth and light.

Everything changes with your point of view. Try this as an experiment. Imagine that you know for certain that all the conditions in your life are actually a blessing, should you decipher the correct way in which to deal with it. The things that disturb you the most are your biggest opportunities to learn to love more fearlessly. I have found that if I try to see bad things as a reflection of some part of myself that I must understand and care for, I tend to behave far more skillfully in regard to it. If you can attain that view for only a moment, it will change the world forever. And in any case, it will amuse the other monkeys.

Answer 3

Humans are not too intellegent for their own good. Some get cocky and think they know everything but even an intellegent person does not have all the answers. We all worry about the things we can not fix, it's human nature. Sure in the end none of the things that upset us or worry us won't matter but we fret anyway because of human emotions. Without them, we are nothing but unfeeling drones. As for desires, those things won't go away until we've all gone to a better place. I worry and get upset like many other people about this war. We can not do anything about it but it bother's us anyway. It all boils down to human nature.

Answer 4

The only way to fix having an unfair life is to change how you percieve what's fair and what's not, and change your attitude. Without suffering their would be no compassion. I have to agree and yet disagree with the humans are intelligent thing. Someday we may be in zoos, like monkeys. They used to be the most intelligent creatures you know. Eventually, after millions of years we will develope into something more. I must say though, there are some people I have come to know and stongly dislike who I do not think are the smartest, but generally, yes, we humans are the most intelligent.

Answer 5

1. Unintelligent voters do not do their homework. They vote for ineffective people who do not take any action of significance to make their lives better.

2. The 1960s showed that if you stand up and unite, you can make a difference. Today's populace is exhausted, lazy and can't be bothered to get involved. They'd rather believe spin.

3. You can learn a lot from History — what worked, and what led to downfalls of a societies. Look to models that worked and follow their examples.

4. Once the oppressors are oppressed and their rights stripped away, something will happen. Learn from the 1960s rights movements. Oppression leads to a sick society, with no incentives. Eminent Domain — once your home is declared blighted, will you get involved?

5. It all matters. How many people voted for someone who was against abortion, or vice versa, but the position the individual ran for would have no authority to do allow them to do anything about it directly? A lot of people vote that way. No one actually looks at what the responsibilities of a position are & its limitations. Imperative.

6. We are capable of fixing things. But, it starts with us. You will never see or hear a politician tell the truth that: Overcrowded schoolrooms are the result of overpopulation. Religious fundamentalists will block any education about teaching highschoolers the actual cost of raising a child for 18 years, and then higher education, because 'child=sex' (taboo). People continue to have children they can't afford. We need to teach children about basic life pitfalls such as credit card debt, or how to balance a checkbook, etc.

7. Back in the early days of IBM, every executive had a plaque on their desk. The plaque had one single word: THINK.

Good Luck and Warm Wishes.

Answer 6

I am but one...my ship has had problems...and I orbit your system....I have a program that scans psychology which I started running whenever we find some new race---we have a capability for interdimentional 'sense' which you could call the 'hive' just as you have sight...

and no...humans are not for their designated destiny...too good...they are inherently mediocre in fact.

They are not too intelligent---...but lack the technology or the will at times to change what they know must be changed.

technology will one day come that will enable humans to 'fix' things like suffering, pain, desire...as well as the evolution of social interaction and constructs...

but it will take pain...struggle, wil...and technological breakthroughs to get there. Humans, us and so are all single sentient beings, insignificant in the face of the complexity of the tao/order duality.

if your purpose was only to survive, then yes...your are too intelligent for 'your own good.' But your duty and purpose is a lot grander, to help perfect creation, hand in hand, with the God....he did create you in 'his' image, correct? then why would you not have his same powers to create...

you are to help the great god, hand in hand, to perfect his creation, and in dialogue, become more creative....

the dialogue between you and the God is expected...which you will all one day have to face...the dialogue is like one between father and son, the father learning from the son, his creation, and the son his father, the creator...

it is of infinite perfection and learning---to help manipulate and create the enviroment---this is our purpose.

we will fail with inefficient and ignorant systems along the way...but there will come the time, for humans to fulfill their purpose..and put their inputs create new ways of efficient interaction...

just as nature has designed you a framework to live, you will one day become mature, and change nature to your bidding, and re-write the rules for different frameworks...which you will feel, sense and think in different ways.

you have already created a new landscape..what do you think roads, computers, and buildings are? the birth of a new order, a new system, that although inefficient, is still a brainchild of YOUR creation.

You have the power to think and create...therefore you are not limited to survival. Your challenge is greater, not only to survive, but to satisfy your happiness in helping the God in his work.

Answer 7

Nobody ever knows how things will work out.. I think the human race is willing to learn from their mistakes and how to avoid them next time, give humanity a chance and don't be so critical of things ..take life for what it is...

Answer 8

Humans are just as dumb as animals, look at the planets pollution level...People are still prejudice...People will do anything for money, just like a monkey. I think people are dumber than animals until they believe in God and act accordingly.

Answer 9

Problem is not that we are too smart, but that we have space-age minds trapped in stone age bodies.

Let me explain. We are smart enough to create wondeful gadgets - cars, planes, TVs, radios, phones, etc. But we also create machine guns, jet planes, tanks, and weapons of mass destruction, just to kill each other in order to settle differences. Problem is, as I see it, is that we all have a crocodile brain deep inside of our heads, and all too often it takes control, and drives us into acts of aggression and territoriality.

If we don't destroy ourselves, I predict that eventually we will modify ourselves with cyborg technology, to enhance desirable qualities, and reduce undesirable ones.

Answer 10

Who said we're incapable of changing these facts?