Are humans special?

[EduChris]

As we look around in our universe, we find innumerable entities which, as far as we can tell, do not appear to have any chance at all of comprehending the true nature of reality-as-it-is.

Quantum particles, rocks, minerals, vegetables, etc., do not appear to have any consciousness or capacity to understand anything.

Animal life forms other than humans do not appear to have the necessary conceptual and linguistic apparatus and/or methodologies which would enable them to comprehend the true nature of reality in all of its complexity and counter-intuitiveness.

This leaves humans: do we possess the conceptual and linguistic capacities and/or methodologies which give us a conception of reality which actually corresponds in a significant way to reality-as-it-is?

Certainly most of us would argue that pre-scientific humans did not have an accurate conception of reality. We feel that it is only modern science which has recently given us accurate conceptions and perceptions of reality. But how would we really know that we have indeed finally arrived at a conception which is objectively accurate, in actual correspondence with reality-as-it-is? If we were to meet alien life forms far more intelligent and advanced than us, would they view us as having--despite our relatively immature technologies--an accurate perception of reality? Or would they instead view us in the same way that we view a mouse's conception of reality?

Question for debate: are we humans special in our capacity to accurately comprehend reality-as-it-is? Or are we like the vast majority of matter in the universe, lacking a truly accurate conception of reality?

And if we are special, does that imply anything at all about our purpose in the universe?

Or if we are not special, if our perceptions do not correspond to reality-as-it-is, then why do we so often act as though science can provide an answer for anything and everything?

[bernee51]

As we look around in our universe, we find innumerable entities which, as far as we can tell, do not appear to have any chance at all of comprehending the true nature of reality-as-it-is.

Quantum particles, rocks, minerals, vegetables, etc., do not appear to have any consciousness or capacity to understand anything.

Animal life forms other than humans do not appear to have the necessary conceptual and linguistic apparatus and/or methodologies which would enable them to comprehend the true nature of reality in all of its complexity and counter-intuitiveness.

This leaves humans: do we possess the conceptual and linguistic capacities and/or methodologies which give us a conception of reality which actually corresponds in a significant way to reality-as-it-is?

Certainly most of us would argue that pre-scientific humans did not have an accurate conception of reality. We feel that it is only modern science which has recently given us accurate conceptions and perceptions of reality. But how would we really know that we have indeed finally arrived at a conception which is objectively accurate, in actual correspondence with reality-as-it-is? If we were to meet alien life forms far more intelligent and advanced than us, would they view us as having--despite our relatively immature technologies--an accurate perception of reality? Or would they instead view us in the same way that we view a mouse's conception of reality?

Question for debate: are we humans special in our capacity to accurately comprehend reality-as-it-is? Or are we like the vast majority of matter in the universe, lacking a truly accurate conception of reality?

And if we are special, does that imply anything at all about our purpose in the universe?

Or if we are not special, if our perceptions do not correspond to reality-as-it-is, then why do we so often act as though science can provide an answer for anything and everything?

Fond of false dichotomies aren't you...

Are humans special in our capacity to comprehend reality-as-it-is?

Yes, humans are special in this way and no, our conceptions are unlikely to correspond accurately to reality-as-it-is.

We have the capacity but, for the most part, our conceptions - the prime one of which is the sense of individual self - do not correspond with reality.

[LiamOS]

Define 'special'.
If by special you mean only unique, then you'd be right insofar as this solar system is concerned.

[EduChris]

Define 'special'...

We would be "special" if we have indeed finally arrived at a conception which is objectively accurate, in actual correspondence with reality-as-it-is.

We would not be special if our perception of reality were inadequate enough that highly intelligent and advanced aliens life forms would view us as having an inaccurate perception of reality.

Would such aliens view us in the same way that we view mice? Or would they at least acknowledge that our perception of reality was accurate enough despite our comparatively undeveloped technological sophistication?

[sarabellum]

Another question I would bring up is who is special to who or what?

Maybe that's out of line.

Edited due to operator error

[bernee51]

Define 'special'...

We would be "special" if we have indeed finally arrived at a conception which is objectively accurate, in actual correspondence with reality-as-it-is.

So have all humans arrived, are all humans special, and how do you know?

We would not be special if our perception of reality were inadequate enough that highly intelligent and advanced aliens life forms would view us as having an inaccurate perception of reality.

Be sure to keep us posted when they visit to let you know.

[Baz]

I don’t believe that there is any point in talking about arriving; isn’t everywhere just a point on a bigger journey?
I don’t feel able to vote yet but hope to later when the meaning behind, comprehension of reality becomes clearer.
Don’t all animals comprehend there reality?

[bernee51]

I don’t believe that there is any point in talking about arriving; isn’t everywhere just a point on a bigger journey?

Agreed, in a stae of constant emergence. Each moment being only as it can be.

I don’t feel able to vote yet but hope to later when the meaning behind, comprehension of reality becomes clearer.

I'm wondering as well what EduChris holds reality to looklike.

Don’t all animals comprehend their reality?

I guess so...I have never been any other animal

[Baz]

I guess so...I have never been any other animal

Hay.... ... you keep telling me we are all things... or something like that.

[bernee51]

I guess so...I have never been any other animal

Hay.... ... you keep telling me we are all things... or something like that.

I did say that...

Unfortunately my immediate sense of self is somewhat limited.

Although I do remember an occasion when I was in an ashram on the Ganges high in the Himalaya. I had been mediating on the bank of the river and looked across to the other side and saw an old lady carrying a bundle of newly harvested grain. I sensed could feel the gravel under her feet, the weight of her bundle and the smell of the new mown grain.

Or maybe I have a vivid imagination.