Essay Foundation Revision Draft
ON JUSTIFICATION Humanity finds itself in a peculiar position. Never before has a species possessed such extensive knowledge of the world it inhabits. Never before has a species measured the movement of distant galaxies, mapped the structure of its own genetic code, communicated across continents in moments, altered rivers, forests, mountains, and oceans, or contemplated journeys beyond its native planet. To many, these achievements appear to be evidence of progress. To others, they represent proof that humanity has become the master of its own destiny. Yet before such conclusions are accepted, a more fundamental question must be asked. By what standard are these developments judged to be improvements? The modern world often assumes an answer without examining it. Greater production is assumed to be better than lesser production. Greater efficiency is assumed to be better than lesser efficiency. Greater technological capability is assumed to be preferable to limitation. Expansi...