[ExI] Evolutionary psychology and religion

[BillK]

On Dec 11, 2007 6:44 AM, Seien wrote:
> Firstly, Spike: you presume that memes can be passed only from parents to
> children. Not even genes are this limited, and memes are far more dynamic
> than genes. I can persuade people of my ideas and propagate my memes that
> way. Many philosophers had no children and yet their ideas more or less
> survive. If anything they are improved upon, which one can only be glad
> about. As I said, reproduction isn't the most important thing for humans any
> more. Making rational and useful ideas is far more important than that.
>

That philosophy might apply to you and your friends, but.....

We have discussed birth rates before on this list. First world nations
have effectively stopped breeding. Their birth rates are below
replacement level. Which explains the concentration on extending the
lifespan of existing members.

Third world countries have growing populations, are rapidly acquiring
modern technology and will be demanding more space and resources in
the near future.

There seems to be a major clash of populations looming up over the
horizon. (Ask Keith!).

> And Mike: Morality IS rationality. It would be quite abhorrent to follow an
> idea with no rational justification. Morality is about ideas and theories on
> the best way to live. This is arrived at rationally. Again, persuasion over
> coercion. There's no need to speak like a savage when you have the mind of a
> human being. :)
>

Breeding has not been controlled by rationality until very recently,
in selected areas only.
As soon as it was, we stopped doing it. We are now dying out.

Whether our superior morality and technology can keep at bay the
hordes outside the gates is a question that will be answered in the
near future.

The best solution I can see is that yes, temporarily, we might be able
to. If the third world have time to become first world nations, then
they also will stop breeding.  But the interim period will surely have
traumatic times.

BillK