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Perfect-Top-7555 t1_it774s2 wrote

Reply to comment by 491010 in A new UN report explores how to make human civilization safe from destruction. There’s a way to make civilization extinction-proof. But it won’t be easy. by mossadnik

“If we want to improve the world we cannot do it with scientific knowledge but with ideals. Confucius, Buddha, Jesus and Gandhi have done more for humanity than science has done. We must begin with the heart of man—with his conscience—and the values of conscience can only be manifested by selfless service to mankind. In this respect, I feel that the Churches have much guilt. She has always allied herself with those who rule, who have political power, and more often than not, at the expense of peace and humanity as a whole.” -Einstein and the Poet, third conversation, p. 92

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Fantasy_masterMC t1_it8lxy0 wrote

Right, science is the 'how', the heart provides the 'why'. The 'why' must generally be answered before the 'how' becomes relevant.

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vorpal_potato t1_itd6cem wrote

Meh. Ideals are great, but they don't count for much when you're stuck in the jaws of the Malthusian trap -- the default state of humanity, which we were only able to escape thanks to a series of incredible scientific and technological improvements that almost nobody bothers to appreciate. It bothers me to see people take abundant food for granted, completely heedless of the technological pillars holding up the sky. Word up to Buddha, of course, but Borlaug was probably much more consequential.

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