Is humanity moving forward or backward?

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Is humanity moving forward or backward?

Is humanity moving toward a positive future? Or is it doing the opposite? What do we perceive this positive/negative future as being?

Forum: Philosophy

Robert Derbyshire 06:16, 4 May 2011

5 Comments

Savina 14:23, 22 March 2012

definately backwards

5 Reply (0)
xururaca 19:46, 20 March 2012

Always forward, there's no doubt about that. In EVERY way. Whether some like it or not.

5 Reply (0)
Ryan.Pravato 09:01, 15 December 2011

As the range of rich people and poor people expands there will only be more trouble for humanity. Crime via desperation and envy will only increase. And as the population on earth continues to rise it only increases the number of ignorant people. Never underestimate the power of ignorant people in large groups.

5 Reply (0)
quimera 03:54, 29 August 2011

To answer this question you need to define positive and negative. What is positive for some might be negative for others. Regards

5 Reply (1)

Robert Derbyshire

Hi Quimera. This is of course another big question. My answer for what represents a positive future is as follows: 1)A greater feeling of happiness and contentment, felt by more people, more consistently. 2)A greater degree of sustainability, both with the earth, other species, and people from our species. 3)Intelligent technical development.

09:04, 1 September 2011
Bob 05:45, 20 May 2011

Humanity is moving forward technologically, but in terms of our capacity for moral action, self-control and love, it seems - seems - that we are moving backwards. But this may just be a negative perception. The Buddha said: “The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly.” This is presumably the secret for the health of society also.

5 Reply (2)

tereza

I believe that people are more loving and selfless and kind now than they were in the past. We are definitely not moving backwards in this respect! At least that's how I see it. The technological progress provides safe enough environment for people to think about more than just survival. They can afford to develop their morality and self-control. Further technological progress will bring about even more kindness and spiritual maturity. Just my opinion!

12:59, 26 June 2011

Melissa taing

Also, a quote from the Dalai Lama: "Today, more than ever before, life must be characterized by a sense of Universal responsibility, not only nation to nation and human to human, but also human to other forms of life."

07:06, 20 May 2011