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Last updated 7/18/2007 From Animal To Human I find it useful to identify milestones along a spectrum of existence for homo sapiens. Although some may accuse me of being judgmental, I hold to the idea that there are objectively better (+) and worse (-) ways of living on earth. It is key here to emphasize the contrast between "better" and "correct", as well as between "worse" and "incorrect". That said, here is my view (one view) of the spectrum of our existence; perhaps you could refer to this as my spin on Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs: from CRIMINAL (-) 0. Active destruction of, or wanton disregard for, human existence. to ANIMAL (0) I. Basic fulfillment of the biological purpose: propagation of the species. to HUMAN (+) II. The individual pursuit of happiness. III. The pursuit of happiness without tangentially harming others (physically or emotionally) or diminishing the earth's ability to continue in perpetuity. IV. Helping others achieve their own individual happiness--i.e., those who are not as able or do not have as many opportunities as you. V. The bettering of the human condition through contributions to human knowledge, scientific progress, artistic expression, philosophical inquiry, etc. Each
of these stages of existence is nobler, and more difficult, than
its predecessor. As each is achieved (no single stage being necessarily
dependent on any of the others), I believe that one reaches a more
"human" existence. And I do, as a matter a principle,
believe that it is better to be more human than animal. *** "I
do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed
us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their
use." -- Galileo Galilei, 1564 -1642
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