Does humanity have any intrinsic value?

Question

If all human life could be extinguished immediately and painlessly, would it be the correct thing to do ethically?

I'll tell you what: Tardis Girl is getting best answer. I really should have asked about both intrinsic and extrinsic value. Enough with the God hogwash, by the way.

Answer 1

No. Most people want to continuing living for as long as they can. To kill them instantly would violate their desire to exist.

Humanity has intrinsic value because we give it value. It does not have an extrinsic value, so it all rests on us.

Ethically speaking, I can find no good justification for annihilation. But if you are asking if a person has a right to end their own life immediately and painlessly (such as euthanasia in terminal cases), then I would go with a "yes."

What would be the purpose of ending the existence of a species that has persisted for millions of years, and is just know gaining an awareness of itself in the universe?

Answer 2

The value of the human species is relative. As a life long human myself, I believe we do have great value and hope we will survive.

If you think this is the ethical thing to do, then either you're 1) completely nuts, or 2) just pulling our "leg".

.

Answer 3

God could have chosen to do that and been justified because of the sinfulness of all humans. In His grace and love, He has chosen not to do so. Nobody else has that right.
Humanity does have intrinsic and extrinsic value because God gave us life that we do not deserve. I am thankful for that to say the least.

Answer 4

Shortest verse in the bible is Jesus wept. Jesus wept at the death of Lazarus even though Jesus knew He was going to bring him back to life. If God extinguished all human life it would not be painless.

Your question is spoken by an un ethical notion of humanity.

Answer 5

Life has no value if you base your existence on evolution. You are simply born to die, and maybe improve your species. However, if you believe in the bible, or other religions, then you receive value, as you were created by a spiritual being with a purpose and a goal for your life, adding immense value to every life

Answer 6

Ah!! I have found a good and proper human! You know your place!

There is no purpose to the human race other than to be devoured by the Great Old God Cthulu who lies not dead, but dreaming beneath the seas. In the city of Rl'yeh Lord Cthulu waits to devour the world.
It's good to see that you are a lining up early. Good job!
Have a blessed day!

Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn!

Answer 7

Whoa dude. Call your pharmacist.and get back on your meds. Are you actually questioning the ethics of species extinction and mass genocide? Annihilating a species is probably the single worst crime in all of existence.

Answer 8

Your question seems contradictory.
If human life has no intrinsic value, then by what standard would you gage the ethical value of murdering everyone?
Where would this value come from?

Answer 9

We were created to reflect the image of God on this planet. To remove humanity would remove the image and presence of God on earth.

Of course, humans have marred and tainted this image when we sin and kill each other.

But God's response was not to wipe us all out (though he almost did during the flood) - but to send a savior to redeem the human race. Jesus gives our hearts a makeover so we don't only do evil all the time.

Answer 10

All human life CAN be extinguished immediately and painlessly (if God chose to do so) and He hasn't, so therefore it must NOT be the ethical thing to do.