The hypothetical view that human nature (the bad sides of it) are in place to counteract the natural aspiring nature of man and social evolution.
My hypothesis is such: the ‘bad’ side of human nature is in place purely to limit and counteract the natural aspiring nature of man and the upwards curve of social evolution. Included in this is the theory that the natural curve of social evolution will always be upwards or progressive; also included is that `man’s` natural or normal nature is to move forward in a progressive way and create new things.
My hypothesis will always be almost completely unprovable, I can and do accept this and I’m not trying to prove it.
My hypothesis is ‘agnostic’, it doesn’t rely on God, evolution, or aliens; any combination of these could be involved, this is for your personal beliefs to decide, not me.
I don’t completely believe this myself, nor am I sure if I should or even if it is correct. This theory or hypothetical concept has arisen from a few conversations and some recent reading.
It would be hard to deny that the actions of some humans, and other human groups, often slows down the advancement of a peaceful society. For this theory to hold it would seem that you must also believe that a truly peaceful society is the aim or attempted future, maybe even utopia. Returning to the point one can see that the manufacturers of war disturb this peaceful advancement.
For the ease of this theory, let us presume that there is a deity, and that it can be referred to as he.
Now, if we consider the general scope of humanities abilities, when organised we can move forward and change things in a ‘better’ and ‘more advanced’ way. However, it would seem that certain persons and entities hold things back due to their attitude towards peer advance. Thus human greed and other ‘bad’ emotions and tenancies hold the advance back. Now, these tendencies could well have been injected by the presumed deity to control our advance.
The reasoning for this injection could be extremely complex, it might be so simple that I cannot see or understand it. One of the concepts which we see as ‘the future’ is immortality and complete knowledge, maybe these social aspects prevent us ever reaching this for reasons we do not understand. Maybe it’s simply like the rabbit/fox population graphs which we all do at school, and so prevents us becoming more populated than the earth can handle.
I’d love to hear some of other people’s views, I think this has been a little disjointed but I’m sure someone else will have some views all the same.
PS: I wrote this a few days and now I’m posting, so my views may have changed.
Kind regards, Robert
Tags: Hypothesis, Philosophy, Society
August 21st, 2008 at 3:19 am
{Reading this during pauses in conversations and the like, plus I didn’t take my ADD med today, so I’ll have to read this again later; quite interesting.}
I’m not sure what I believe.
Here’s something I do believe, as a start: People are not Evil. (Not implying that you said so; you didn’t say that at all.) (Bear with me; there is something resembling a weak point coming..)
I am not saying there is *not* evil. I think there is. But I don’t think people are such. They may commit evil-ish acts. Heinous acts. But they are still flesh and blood human being. Not monsters. I don’t know for sure what evil is, but it isn’t a person who does wicked things. Even the most wicked things. That person is an anomaly, really. Pathologic.
So. Anyway.
Let’s say “good” is something to be found naturally in man and/or the world, or perhaps galaxy. (Along with other characteristics.)
Now let’s also say that “bad” is also natural in same. (Using simplistic, almost unfairly nondescriptive terms here just for the sake of brevity. You know what I mean, though.)
If there is desire in man or an inclination for a “perfect” world or society, due to yes, the upwards curve of evolution, then is this due to natural traits in man? I think so. So, if there are men or entities who would have social dissonance or other various ways of “slowing down a peaceful society”.. is that not also nature? For every action, an equal and opposite reaction? (Did I say that right? I’m sleepy.)
So, in effect, yes, I agree with you, I think? I think yes.
But… the bigger question posed here to me is the Why. “Now, these tendencies could well have been injected by the presumed deity to control our advance.” Why? Like you said, could be impossible to ever ascertain (likely) or staring us right in the face. I don’t think we can know, actually. Not at all questioning what you’ve written. Just sitting here wondering about the notions you’ve brought up. I like it when people bring up notions for which I can think over.
Wait, wait - totally off the subject, but “notions” sounds kind of derogatory to me, dismissive, and I don’t mean it that way.
no·tion
1. a general understanding; vague or imperfect conception or idea of something: a notion of how something should be done. (Wrong definition here.)
*2. an opinion, view, or belief: “That’s his notion, not mine.”
3. conception or idea: his notion of democracy.
4. a fanciful or foolish idea; whim: She had a notion to swim in the winter. (See? Derogatory.)
5. an ingenious article, device, or contrivance; knickknack.
6. notions, small articles, as buttons, thread, ribbon, and other personal items, esp. such items displayed together for sale, as in a department store. (lawlz)
*definition #2: ding ding ding ding ding!!!!
I do like #6, though. Ideas as buttons.
Nice buttons.
I wish I was more eloquent at the moment. I’ll go wonder why, if there is a deity, she would want to inject some sort of Device For The Prevention of A Utopian-Like Society. Or, just why she would want to “control our advance”. That’s really the question, I guess. Wonder what Darwin would think of this. Wonder why our frogs and stuff are like a barometer as to how the earth and mankind are doing in general.
Sucks that we can only make up an answer, or be pretty sure of an answer, or have a vague idea of an answer. Because there’s no answer for us to have, is there. Still fun to think about. (We could always turn to metaphysics, where everything is basically made up.)
August 21st, 2008 at 3:29 am
Hmm, just thought of a random song quote. A song from the 80s.
The band is Love Rockets. The song is “No New Tale To Tell”. I quite like it, but I like 80s music. Eh.
I looked up the lyrics to be sure, and this one site has them written this way, though I remembered it slightly differently. At any rate, it seemed somewhat related. In this clinically ill brain, anyway.
You cannot go against nature
Because when you do
Go against nature
It’s part of nature too
Well said.