Interesting and insightful as usual, Mr Tanner :).
I was reading Kurt Gödel a few weeks ago, & his concept (as I understood it, which may be incorrect) seemed to be that humanity possesses something extra which no other animal has, which exceeds the simple need for survival and which drives our production of art, music, philosophy, complex language skills etc. Gödel puts it down to an eternal spirit, something within us which is separate from our body and core senses, & which will exist once those things have perished.
Maybe. I can see that. Makes sense.
Then I was reading some Einstein (Gödel's close friend), who said that he, Einstein, had no special skills, just insatiable curiosity.
Curiosity. Sound of nail being hit firmly on head....
And then I thought, why? Why do we have this curiosity? (well you would, wouldn't you :) ). It far exceeds any need for survival. Knowledge of, and fear of, death doesnt cover it. That is obviously the driving force behind many people's religious views, but it doesnt begin to explain curiosity.
I'm not offering any answers. Just that this curiosity is the driving force behind all human advancement, and we, and only we, have it. And it obviously isnt a natural accident. It's something beyond that.
Tanner,nice return on comments. Religion and God believe are the opiates of mankind. To face ones eventual demise without fear is the goal ,is it not? Common sense passed down through man's first cognitive thoughts is easily explained away by a supernatural power. Is there a kernel of truth hidden away in our subconscious? I truly hope so. Thanks again for providing information and open opinions from other readers.
It's not just homo sapiens who have buried their dead, with posessions to take to the next life.
In relation to some of these comments, the issue of what is meant by "human" is the big one.
Interesting and insightful as usual, Mr Tanner :).
I was reading Kurt Gödel a few weeks ago, & his concept (as I understood it, which may be incorrect) seemed to be that humanity possesses something extra which no other animal has, which exceeds the simple need for survival and which drives our production of art, music, philosophy, complex language skills etc. Gödel puts it down to an eternal spirit, something within us which is separate from our body and core senses, & which will exist once those things have perished.
Maybe. I can see that. Makes sense.
Then I was reading some Einstein (Gödel's close friend), who said that he, Einstein, had no special skills, just insatiable curiosity.
Curiosity. Sound of nail being hit firmly on head....
And then I thought, why? Why do we have this curiosity? (well you would, wouldn't you :) ). It far exceeds any need for survival. Knowledge of, and fear of, death doesnt cover it. That is obviously the driving force behind many people's religious views, but it doesnt begin to explain curiosity.
I'm not offering any answers. Just that this curiosity is the driving force behind all human advancement, and we, and only we, have it. And it obviously isnt a natural accident. It's something beyond that.
Hope that doesnt sound too nonsensical.
Tanner,nice return on comments. Religion and God believe are the opiates of mankind. To face ones eventual demise without fear is the goal ,is it not? Common sense passed down through man's first cognitive thoughts is easily explained away by a supernatural power. Is there a kernel of truth hidden away in our subconscious? I truly hope so. Thanks again for providing information and open opinions from other readers.