Human extinction and the value of our efforts

Brooke Alan Trisel

The Philosophical Forum, vol. 35, no. 3, 2004, pp. 371–391

Abstract

Concerns are raised about the value of human efforts if humanity goes extinct, often in relation to the finitude of human existence, the temporality of creative works, and the limits of personal influence. This paper argues that the claim that our lives would be meaningless and pointless without future generations is greatly exaggerated. The significance of our efforts does not depend on how long humanity or the universe will last. By adopting reasonable standards to judge significance and accepting that our efforts may not have lasting impacts, we can find value and purpose in our lives irrespective of humanity’s longevity. – AI-generated abstract.

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Quotes from this work

[T]he things we have created will eventually vanish once human beings are no longer around to preserve them. However, achievements are events, not things, and events that have occurred cannot be undone or reversed. Therefore, it will continue to be true that our achievements occurred even if humanity ends. One disadvantage of having an unalterable past is that we cannot undo a wrongdoing that occurred. However, an unalterable past is also an advantage in that our achievements can never be undone, which may give some consolation to those who desire quasi-immortality.

human extinction · immortality · time
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