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Would human extinction be a tragedy? Would human extinction be a tragedy?
No, human extinction would not be a tragedy No, human extinction would not be a tragedy
Yes, human extinction would be a tragedy Yes, human extinction would be a tragedy
It is irrelevant, human extinction would mean nothing It is irrelevant, human extinction would mean nothing
It depends on the nature of the extinction It depends on the nature of the extinction
We’re a virus with shoes We’re a virus with shoes
Antinatalism Antinatalism
Humanity benefits Earth like no other species Humanity benefits Earth like no other species
Human extinction would be a tragedy because humans have so much potential Human extinction would be a tragedy because humans have so much potential
Without humans, many other animals would go extinct Without humans, many other animals would go extinct
There are no humans left to give it meaning There are no humans left to give it meaning
There are two different scenarios for how human extinction will take place There are two different scenarios for how human extinction will take place
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Would human extinction be a tragedy?
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Yes, human extinction would be a tragedy

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Humanity benefits Earth like no other species

Human beings are the only species with an advanced level of reasoning.
Simon Russell Beale Rebecca Newberger Goldstein Todd May
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Context

The very fact that we as humans are having this question demonstrates that we bring something to this earth that no other species do.

The Argument

Humans bring an advanced level of reason and understanding of the world that no other species do. We are able to question the merits of our existence in a critical way. If humans were to die off, there would be no more art, no more literature, no more music, or painting. There would be no more science dedicated understanding the marvels of the universe. [1] We represent something of an awakening moment for the universe. For that reason alone, the extinction of the human race on planet earth would be a tragedy.

Counter arguments

This presumes a significant knowledge gap between humans and other animals. It supposes that we are in fact the only species on the planet that engages in reasoned thought and the only species on the planet that creates art and carries out scientific experiments. Elephants and whales routinely display empathy.[2] Vogelkop bowerbirds create art displays to woo females, with precise sculptures build not for their structural merits, but their artistic ones.[3] Many species possess number-like skills and the basis for which humans developed mathematical understanding.[4] We are not as unique as many believe. Therefore, we do not offer something no other species does, and it would not be a tragedy if we died out.

Proponents

Premises

P1: Humans are the only species that engage in deep reasoning and understanding. P2: If humans died this would be lost. P3: This would be a tragedy.

Rejecting the premises

P1: Humans are not the only species that have these capabilities.

References

  1. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/17/opinion/human-extinction-climate-change.html
  2. https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2015/07/150714-animal-dog-thinking-feelings-brain-science/
  3. http://www.people.fas.harvard.edu/~korsgaar/index.html
  4. https://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/article/animals-can-do-almost-math
This page was last edited on Friday, 17 Apr 2020 at 09:38 UTC

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