From: Kai Becker (kmb@kai-m-becker.de)
Date: Mon Dec 24 2001 - 06:33:06 MST
Am Montag, 24. Dezember 2001 06:05 schrieb Samantha Atkins:
> We are not automatons to such a deep degree that we cannot
> choose how to act to at least some extent. If we were we would
> not be at this very different sort of life than what most of our
> evolution geared us for.
I find it rather strange to dicuss plans for radical technological changes,
including ideas to reshape the earth, the solar system and the conditions
of living for all people on the one hand, but to give up every idea of
mental changes on the other hand.
IMO, if improved technology shall improve the quality of living for _all_
people (see Extropian Principles), we _have_ to improve our ethics and
mental skills. Becoming more intelligent (solve equations and create
technology) is not enough without becoming wiser: thinking in networks of
dependencies, consequences and values of others, and find a common consent,
instead of pushing interests.
And we have enough examples of different ethical systems. Even societies we
don't consider appropriate for us contain ideas which we should probably
integrate into our repertoire. We only have to analyse them like we do a
chemical analysis.
Kai
-- == Kai M. Becker == kmb@kai-m-becker.de == Bremen, Germany == "Any technology distinguishable from magic is insufficiently advanced"
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