Conscious Evolution

[janos]

[janos]

We know very little about the deeper lying realms of the evolutionary process.

Having learned to investigate the "secrets of nature" only very recently* in terms of the evolutionary timescale, we should not trust ourselves with the awsome responsibility of manipulating evolution directly. The "facts" we are able to uncover are just the raw data. Thinking about our findings and the evaluation of their safe and correct application requires wisdom that goes beyond mere knowledge.

*During most of the six million years of the history of our species we have been learning mainly to survive in the trees and caves. Thus, the last few centuries of our scientific knowledge cannot possibly equip us to take control of Life like a troupe of monkeys, wanting to fly the space shuttle.

Think of it, we learned to build cities and grow our food barely six thousand years ago; developed modern knowledge systems scarcely five hundred years ago. At the dawn of the 21st century** we are still in the process of learning to be "civilised" and fully human.

**Year zero counting back from the origin of everything.