User:Wavelength/About society/Human existence
User talk:Jimbo Wales/Archive 85#Open confessions of a closed mind (October 2011)
User talk:Jimbo Wales/Archive 104#One key to solving chronic problems (May 2012)
Meaning of life: (1) If there is no true God, and if all religion is human-made religion, then how does religion differ from philosophy? (2) If there is exactly one true God, and if there is exactly one true God-made religion, then how does true God-made religion differ from false (human-made) religion?
Social relations: (1) If humans were created by a process of cooperation, then do they function best by cooperation (with each other, with other living things, and with the natural environment)? (2) If humans evolved by a process of competition, then do they function best by competition (against each other, against other living things, and against the natural environment)?
Social structure: (1) Imagine a world (a societal arrangement) in which every human voluntarily lives with respect for every other human. (2) Imagine a new world benefiting the human race and the planet Earth.
Entertainment relieves drudgery. Encouragement relieves discouragement. Entertainment is inadequate as a substitute for encouragement.
Economic growth: (1) What is economic growth? (2) Why it is important? (3) Is it for everybody? (4) How much is enough?
Criteria for decisions: abilities and needs; beliefs and values; desires and purposes; harmonies and priorities
Criteria for decisions: advantages and disadvantages; differences and similarities; generalities and specifics; giving and receiving
Questions: (1a) Who? Whose? Whom? (1b) What? Which? (2a) When? For how long? (2b) Where? Whence? Whither? (3a) How? In what way? In what manner? By what means? In what respect? (3b) Why? (4a) How much? How many? (4b) (Whether?) To what degree? To what extent?
Basic essentials for an ideal world (paraphrased from Rose Nadler Franzblau and Abraham N. Franzblau, A Sane and Happy Life: A Family Guide, archived): (1) absence of war (2) absence of hunger (3) absence of disease (4) gainful work for all (5) freedom and justice for all (6) opportunities for self-development for all (7) ample time for leisure for all (8) a high value placed on qualities that distinguish humans from other living things
"Nobody wished to let others know he saw nothing, for then he would have been unfit for his office or too stupid."—Hans Christian Anderson, The Emperor's New Clothes (1837)—Hans Christian Andersen: The Emperor’s New Suit
"There are no hypotheses, alternative to the principle of evolution with its 'tree of life,' that any competent biologist of today takes seriously."—Hermann Joseph Muller, "Is Biological Evolution a Principle of Nature that has been well established by Science?" (1966)—Level of support for evolution#Votes, resolutions and statements of scientists before 1985 (version of 13:43, 16 March 2013)
What Is The Cognitive Rift Between Humans And Other Animals?
Scientist postulates 4 aspects of 'humaniqueness' differentiating human and animal cognition
"Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored."—Aldous Huxley—Aldous Huxley Top 10 Quotes
"Eyes blinded by the fog of Things cannot see Truth. Ears deafened by the din of Things cannot hear Truth. Brains bewildered by the whirl of Things cannot think Truth. Hearts deadened by the weight of Things cannot feel Truth. Throats choked by the dust of Things cannot speak Truth."—Harold Bell Wright, The Uncrowned King