Is guilt a self-destructive trait? Is humankind doomed because of it?

Question

We don't like to know where that T-bone steak came from or the leg of lamb or the chicken nuggets or the grilled halibut. Maybe we'll find that even plants have thoughts and emotions. But n the real world, every creature is a predator of sorts, feeding on other living things. It's the way things are, the way we are.

And lately we've even carried our sensitivity to the level of political correctness.

Is the development of conscience a darwinian path to extinction?

Eve: Don't eat the apple!

Wolf: Actually, I heard a paleontologist say that intelligence may not be a survival characteristic after all, that we may ultimately think and deliberate ourselves out of existence.

Answer 1

I've met plenty of people without a conscience. Most of them are in jail. We are doomed without it!

Answer 2

I believe fear is the doom of us all. Guilt is just a rehabilitation method of God. No need for jail if you already feel guilty enough to never do something again right? Let God cleanse this earth and stop worrying so much. I don't know. I don't think God intended for us to live in cages no-matter what we've done. That's what hell is for. If you are bad enough God will make sure you get there soon anyway, or I'll happily help, your welcome.LOL. Anyway, guilt is a form of spiritual prison and God won't let you out till you repent and understand the truth. Political correctness is just a political ploy for money. If you don't make your supporters happy, you won't be funded for the things you would like to accomplish. It's raw, but true. Wouldn't it be nice to see the real people behind the political facade for once. I mean look at Al Gore, preaching global warming, but in his own home he uses 20x the energy of a normal American household. George Bush on the other hand uses all energy efficient products in his Texas ranch, equaling about 1/3 of the average American household. Bush even goes so far as to recycle his bath and dishwater to water his garden. Well in conclusion I'd have to say we have nothing to fear but fear itself and our destruction is in our own hands especially if we listen to Darwin! Thanks

Answer 3

i would say no, guilt isnt self-destructive, to feel guilty about something is to feel remorse, and that can lead you to making amends, or learning and not doing the same thing again, or even learning and accepting why you do what you do,
only when we are overwhelmed by guilt and dont use it to grow and learn, does it become destructive,

Answer 4

we as a species have always been on that trail of destruction since we climbed down form the trees. but it is our minds that will save us form our fate.