We Must Evolve
To make a better reality, humans need to be more intelligent and moral. They must evolve.
In the intellectual realm we need to utilize technology to augment our intelligence (IA) by any means possible–including education, genetic engineering, biotechnology, and the use of artificial intelligence (AI). The same goes for the moral realm. This would include controversial techniques like implanting moral chips within our brains. But what does making ourselves more moral entail? After reading, teaching, and writing about ethics for almost 30 years we agree that the answer to this question is controversial. But I think the essence of morality lies in understanding the benefits of mutual cooperation and the destructiveness of ethical egoism. We need to be cognizant of the nature of the “prisoner’s dilemma (PD),” that we would all do better and none of us would do worse if we all cooperate. Such knowledge would also show the resolution to the multi-person PD that is the “tragedy of the commons.” The effects of situations with the structure of a PD resonates throughout the world in problems as diverse as insufficient public financing, to the threat of environmental disaster and nuclear annihilation.
But of course knowing that we all do better if we all cooperate is undermined by the fact that each does better individually if they do not cooperate while others do. That is the essence of the PD. Hobbes’ classic solution was coercive governmental power that ensured individuals complied with their agreements. Other solutions include disablement strategies where the non-cooperative move is eliminated. Ulysses having himself tied to the mast of his ship so as not to be seduced by the sirens is an example. It may be necessary to wire our brains or utilize other technologies so that we can’t not cooperate.
Ideally increasing intelligence and morality would cross-fertilize. As we became more intelligent, we would recognize the rationality of morality.1 We would see that the benefits of mutual cooperation outweigh the benefits of non-cooperation. (This was Hobbes insight, we all do best to avoid the state of nature.) As we became more moral, we would understand the need for more intelligence to assure our flourishing and survival. We would accept that greater intelligence is indispensable to a good future. Eventually we would reach the higher states of being and consciousness so desired by transhumanists.
But then again we may destroy ourselves.
___________________________________________________________________________
1. Assuming morality is rational. If it isn’t we’d need another approach such as engineering people to be more sympathetic. Or we could conclude that morality is for suckers and try to kill or enslave everyone else, following the lead of psychopaths like Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, Tom Delay, and Dick Cheney.
