If humanity survives physically, then further inner changes await us, comparable to the change from animal to human consciousness. This is sometimes prefigured in sf.
In Poul Anderson's Brain Wave, intelligence increases, then gains control of instinct. The latter change also happens in HG Wells' In The Days Of the Comet. In Anderson's "The Chapter Ends," humanity is "waking up."
Also:
"Every human protector must wake this way. A Pak wakes sentient for the first time. A human protector has human memories. He wakes clear-headed, and remembers, and thinks with a certain amount of embarrassment: I've been stupid."
-Larry Niven, Protector (London, 1974), p. 213.
We approach this perception, although without increasing intelligence, in meditation.
12 comments:
Kaor, Paul!
And I STRONGLY doubt the kind of interior self transcending changes you hope for will ever happen to mankind should the race survives and gets off this rock! And I believe that was also Anderson's view in his late phase, as can be seen, for example, in his HARVEST OF STARS books.
Ad astra! Sean
Sean,
But such changes happen in some people now.
Paul.
Kaor, Paul!
But not in the GENERALITY of the human race. Mostly among either Christian mystics or Buddhist contemplatives. The latter of which I also believe to be seeking "transcendence" in the wrong direction.
Ad astra! Sean
Sean,
Not in the generality but that can change. Nowadays nearly everyone can read or write. A skeptic in the Dark Ages would have said that they never would.
We watch thoughts arise and pass and thus over time lessen their grip on our consciousness. We are less caught up in "greed, hate and delusion," in attachments, aversions, resentments etc, when we recognize them as transient and as merely perpetuating suffering. This is hardly a wrong direction. Christians differ but some at least say that God is present, even if not recognized as such, in every practice of contemplation and compassion.
Paul.
Kaor, Paul!
Alas, I have to agree more with that skeptic, not you. I don't expect the generality of mankind to ever seek transcendence in their lifetimes.
And by "wrong direction," I meant those who seek "transcendence" in itself, rather than in God, Who is the true source and end of that transcendence.
Ad astra! Sean
Sean,
Yes, but we have to believe in a personal ultimate reality to accept that "God" is the source. This becomes another circular argument. But in at least some conceptions of God, He upholds and inspires anyone who does seek the truth. In another, Evangelical, conception, He simply condemns anyone and everyone who happens not to believe in Him.
I could reply that I think that it is a mistake to personify transcendence but, beyond a certain point of disagreement, all that each of us can do is to persevere with our own practice.
Paul.
Kaor, Paul!
But I am not an "evangelical" Protestant. I would agree that God upholds and encourages anyone who seeks the truth. Altho I would that search should end in "finding" God.
Ad astra! Sean
Sean,
And I think that the search doesn't end except in death.
Paul.
Kaor, Paul!
And I believe the answer is indisputably found after bodily death.
Ad astra! Sean
Sean,
Not indisputably. Many dispute or question it.
If there is no consciousness after death, then we will never know. Isn't that odd?
Paul.
A mere unsupported statement of an already known belief does not progress the discussion.
Kaor, Paul!
Granted, it is the BELIEF AND FAITH of all reasonably orthodox that there is life, existence, consciousness, etc., after bodily death.
Ad astra! Sean
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