Does man serve a higher purpose?

[IdioticBuffoon]

Sure we have our animalistic needs and desires and are no different from animals when it comes to fulfilling those needs and desires. However, I think human beings also possess a spiritual side that makes us different from animals and puts us on a much higher pedestal.

That's my philosphical minute of the week.

Thank you.

Discuss.

 

[SilentZero]

Can't argue. Your right on as far as I see it.

 

[Agnostos Insania]

Any "purposes" are ingrained into us with biology, so yes we're the same as animals.

 

[wfbberzerker]

nope.

 

[ultimatebob]

Yeah, you would like to think that we were put on this Earth for some other reasons than digesting food and reproducing, wouldn't you?

Edit: I meant TO think, not YOU think. Bad typo.

 

[IdioticBuffoon]

Originally posted by: ultimatebob
Yeah, you would like you think that we were put on this Earth for some other reasons than digesting food and reproducing, wouldn't you?

Actually, I don't like to think, but actually believe. Is there something wrong with that?

 

[Cerpin Taxt]

Originally posted by: IdioticBuffoon
Sure we have our animalistic needs and desires and are no different from animals when it comes to fulfilling those needs and desires. However, I think human beings also possess a spiritual side that makes us different from animals and puts us on a much higher pedestal.

Disagree. While understandably human interests tend to have greater value to humans, I don't agree that humans are somehow "spiritually superior" or "more evolved" in any objective sense.

Humans ARE animals, and therefore we are as "spiritual" as other animals are. Our consciousness is different in many ways, naturally, however these differences are not necessarily "for the better" or "more advanced." For that matter, it's quite possible (and likely, IMHO) that many animals have relationships with the rest of the universe that would even rouse the envy of the most spiritual humans.

As humans, though, we tend to measure our worth in comparison to the other animals with highly materialistic metrics. You might say, "Look at our civilizations and industry! Look at our huge buildings and technology! Surely we are more advanced than the other animals." It seems obvious. On the other hand, however, the other animals might think to themselves (figuratively, of course), "The humans haven't the foggiest idea about their place in nature. They no longer heed the voices of the trees and the waters and the land. Instead they multiply and multiply, creating excessive waste, famines and wars where before there were none. Those idiots!"

Who's "right"? Neither, really. Both viewpoints presuppose different metrics by which to evaluate the relative status of the other, yet the metrics themselves are entirely subjective.

 

[JLGatsby]

To make money is man's only purpose. $$$$$$$ Thank goodness.

Money fulfills man's emotional void. That's the difference between man and animal. Money is the spiritual side. It brings, ambition, motivation, productivity, happiness, fulfillment, and inspires us to create a fair society where people are rewarded for their effort.

 

[ultimatebob]

Originally posted by: JLGatsby
To make money is man's only purpose. $$$$$$$ Thank goodness.

Well said from a guy with a $ as his profile icon

 

[JLGatsby]

Originally posted by: ultimatebob
Well said from a guy with a $ as his profile icon

And Gatsby in his screen name and Ayn Rand in his signature. The triple threat!

 

[ultimatebob]

Right on, man.. Now all you need is the Gordon Gecko greed speech from Wall Street, and you're all set!

 

[Yossarian]

Originally posted by: IdioticBuffoon
However, I think human beings also possess a spiritual side that makes us different from animals and puts us on a much higher pedestal.

only our ingrained arrogance makes us think that.

 

[Cerpin Taxt]

Originally posted by: Yossarian

Originally posted by: IdioticBuffoon
However, I think human beings also possess a spiritual side that makes us different from animals and puts us on a much higher pedestal.

only our ingrained arrogance makes us think that.

LOL. That's basically what I was trying to say but you obviously didn't need as many words as I did.

 

[JLGatsby]

Originally posted by: Yossarian
only our ingrained arrogance makes us think that.

No, I think the OP is correct.

But I do think we have errors, such as one you just exhibited. "Fashionable" opinions.

I think many people say things similar to what you said because it's "fashionable" to say things that counter common opinions or come off as "humble."

What you said implies that man is just arrogant. I suspect that's not true, and I suspect you simply make statements out of fashionable humility in an attempt to come off as "wise" or "intelligent." Now if you examine that closely, you'll find that your statement, in it's intentions are more arrogant than the OPs.

 

[HardcoreRobot]

no, he is self-serving

put anyone under true pressure and thats what you will see

its a nice thought that there might be something more, but its just a delusion

 

[rhino56]

Originally posted by: Garth

Originally posted by: IdioticBuffoon
Sure we have our animalistic needs and desires and are no different from animals when it comes to fulfilling those needs and desires. However, I think human beings also possess a spiritual side that makes us different from animals and puts us on a much higher pedestal.

Disagree. While understandably human interests tend to have greater value to humans, I don't agree that humans are somehow "spiritually superior" or "more evolved" in any objective sense.

Humans ARE animals, and therefore we are as "spiritual" as other animals are. Our consciousness is different in many ways, naturally, however these differences are not necessarily "for the better" or "more advanced." For that matter, it's quite possible (and likely, IMHO) that many animals have relationships with the rest of the universe that would even rouse the envy of the most spiritual humans.

As humans, though, we tend to measure our worth in comparison to the other animals with highly materialistic metrics. You might say, "Look at our civilizations and industry! Look at our huge buildings and technology! Surely we are more advanced than the other animals." It seems obvious. On the other hand, however, the other animals might think to themselves (figuratively, of course), "The humans haven't the foggiest idea about their place in nature. They no longer heed the voices of the trees and the waters and the land. Instead they multiply and multiply, creating excessive waste, famines and wars where before there were none. Those idiots!"

Who's "right"? Neither, really. Both viewpoints presuppose different metrics by which to evaluate the relative status of the other, yet the metrics themselves are entirely subjective.

nice

 

[shilala]

Originally posted by: Yossarian

Originally posted by: IdioticBuffoon
However, I think human beings also possess a spiritual side that makes us different from animals and puts us on a much higher pedestal.

only our ingrained arrogance makes us think that.

The perfect answer.
I was going to say the same thing but with a lot more words.

 

[DefDC]

Originally posted by: Yossarian

Originally posted by: IdioticBuffoon
However, I think human beings also possess a spiritual side that makes us different from animals and puts us on a much higher pedestal.

only our ingrained arrogance makes us think that.

QFT

We've grown beyond our wisdom by having the unique ability of recording the knowledge of generations past. (Think apes with machine guns)

I don't think money or greed needs to be our driving factor. We can strive for eternal peaceful exploration of space (ala Star Trek), or having the world be a ravaged wasteland ruled by giant corporate robots (ala Japanese anime) It's up to the people not to let the status quo quietly take over.

 

[waggy]

wouldnt that go against the idea of "free will"

 

[DaveSimmons]

As an agnostic I have no idea whether we serve some spiritual purpose.

But we do potentially serve the higher purpose of spreading Earth's life beyond this single globe. No other species has a chance of doing that in their current form (sorry Dolphins and mice).

 

[IdioticBuffoon]

Originally posted by: Garth

Originally posted by: IdioticBuffoon
Sure we have our animalistic needs and desires and are no different from animals when it comes to fulfilling those needs and desires. However, I think human beings also possess a spiritual side that makes us different from animals and puts us on a much higher pedestal.

Disagree. While understandably human interests tend to have greater value to humans, I don't agree that humans are somehow "spiritually superior" or "more evolved" in any objective sense.

Humans ARE animals, and therefore we are as "spiritual" as other animals are. Our consciousness is different in many ways, naturally, however these differences are not necessarily "for the better" or "more advanced." For that matter, it's quite possible (and likely, IMHO) that many animals have relationships with the rest of the universe that would even rouse the envy of the most spiritual humans.

As humans, though, we tend to measure our worth in comparison to the other animals with highly materialistic metrics. You might say, "Look at our civilizations and industry! Look at our huge buildings and technology! Surely we are more advanced than the other animals." It seems obvious. On the other hand, however, the other animals might think to themselves (figuratively, of course), "The humans haven't the foggiest idea about their place in nature. They no longer heed the voices of the trees and the waters and the land. Instead they multiply and multiply, creating excessive waste, famines and wars where before there were none. Those idiots!"

Who's "right"? Neither, really. Both viewpoints presuppose different metrics by which to evaluate the relative status of the other, yet the metrics themselves are entirely subjective.

I think that the fact that humans possess superior mental faculties does imply that we serve a higher purpose. This superior intellect and intrinsic ability to reason is there for a purpose that only humans can achieve/fulfill. Not just logical reasoning or problem-solving abilities, but the exploration of the metaphysical world (philosophy, spiritualism) and the great leaps in it is what distinguishes humans from animals. I am not categorically denying that animals are not capable of the same, but believe that they most likely are not. At least, they haven't been able to communicate it to humans over their long stay on the same planet.

Granted, this great mental capacity is also potentially destructive as evidenced by countless wars/conflicts in human history. However, human civilization has also demonstrated the disposition to do good and promote it on a global scale and I think it has outweighed the dark side of humanity in the long run.

Moreoever, I wouldn't consider technological superiority as the greatest indicator of a higher purpose for humans because it falls under the logical/scientific realm of the intellect. The real indicator, however, is the metaphysical.

 

[IdioticBuffoon]

Originally posted by: waggy
wouldnt that go against the idea of "free will"

I have never supported that argument. I think human beings are free to do as they please regardless of what they might END UP doing. If that particular end was bound to happen or was already in the knowledge of some superior being, that still does not affect our free will to do as we please.

Example: I am writing this sentence. I am probably meant to write this. However, I can also decide (based on my free will), not to write this. If I do that, it is probably ALSO bound to happen. But that doesn't take away anything from my free will to write whatever I want to write.