One theory is that pessimism is primary to hope evolutionary speaking. It’s often more prudent to be conservative when risking survival than to gamble on something better if losing means death. But hope is an evolutionary trait as well. It’s natural to fear but wisdom suggests we not be blind to better things. This can only happen if we don’t allow our fears to dictate our reactions and behaviors. We are excited by the possibilities of AI and robotics. #philosophy #psychology #AI #robotics

See above (or below). The idea of purification is fanatical even in secular disciplines. Illumination is always desired. Unification for seculars can be scary and even in atheist political arenas it often leads to mob mentality. Yet divorced from the religious intent of the book, there are deep and profound humanistic discoveries in this book, from the likes of Darwin, Nietzsche, Jung, and Freud. #philosophy #psychology #theology

The immorality of nature is intrinsic. Reflection is more powerful than knowledge alone for us to grasp while our bigotry, hatred, violence were essential to our evolution and more often than not driven instinctually and subconsciously, and even instinctually and subconsciously defended as just and good, these beliefs, morals, drives, behaviors, and instincts are no longer beneficial. Deliberate mindful reflection and behavior is vital for our survival and the earths. #philosophy #psychology

We are only 1/2 thru the book. Definitely a must read. We are personally frustrated that a “self-consciously rational society” is portrayed so negatively where even the sentient AI are more human than the people themselves. Even the enemy warrior race of aliens are portrayed as more human despite being very non-humanoid. Fascinating and we are eager to explore the universe of #ConsiderPhlebas and #IanMBanks further. #ScienceFiction #books #SciFi @JonSparks thanks for the recommendation!

Nietzsche’s will to power is misleading (even if not singularly interpreted) similarly as Dawkins’s selfish gene. While our understanding of N’s meaning is still in progress, we deny the bio-evolutionary implications. Certainly hoops could be jumped through to spin the claim but we’d argue the desire for power, however favorably portrayed, is secondary or tertiary to other more biological, rather than psychological, drives. #Nietzsche #philosophy #biology #psychology #evolution #evopsych

@philosophiclee as an aside and backtrack this highlight popped up in my ReadWise. I know, political, but still we think it represents, at least in part, both Nietzsche’s ubermensche and yes.

Some know we are anti-planet colonization especially as we are still creatures who survive by exploitation. But we are pro empty space colonization because it is there were we can be most free individually, collectively, and socially. #spaceexploration #space #sociology #philosophy #anarchism

Religious morality is an extension of an evolutionary and psychological trait for survival. Vital in our past evolution but is it still useful? #philosophy #evolutionarypsychology #evolution #psychology #sociology #religion

Only 30% more to go! Come on team humans we can do it! #environment #ecology #earth #water #people #land