Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Man only has history

What is it that defines human beings? Nothing in particular. We may say with the existentialists that while man has no essence, he has a history. As historical beings, we have a consciousness of our past, and we are aware through other sources of the history of our kind. That sum total of experience is what it means to be human. What can such histories give us in the face of man/machine hybrids who will do everything more intelligently and efficiently. Even writing the words on this page better.

 
 

While power gathers toward the powerful, those cognizant of human history may realize that the universe is still too full of unknowns to say that there is a definable way to "correct" evolution, to make it more efficient. This is what I am learning from William James' pluralism.

No comments: