The Human Spirit

‎The Human Spirit is a property of intelligence that drives it to adapt the environment to the organism. This drive is relatively unique to humans and is progressive in that the drive allows intelligence to grow. This observable phenomena can be measured, predicted, and applied to science.

Adaptation to our environment allowed life to in extreme environments on Earth. No biological trait has been expressed more successfully than human intelligence. This intelligence has allowed our species to turn the tables on biological and natural forces by allowing us to adapt our domain to our needs. The Human Spirit is an individual's commitment to thrive at the edges of the unknown. Unlike common instinctive drives for survival and social behavior, our Human Spirit engages us to take risks based on idealistic values even when chance of success with an endeavor are tenuous. Sometimes an individual overcomes adversity through. Determination and strength of will benefits the individual and mankind in general. The reward for these adventures can be a deeper understanding of the natural world and better ways to adapt it to our needs. As a species, human cultures that adapt nature to their needs thrive more than those which perish in natural calamities. Of course, we now know that control of our environment must be balanced with good environmental stewardship.

Idealistic values that support this commitment may or may not be rational. Exploration or experimentation that is not well planned can lead to catastrophic conclusions. Scientists and philosophers have developed methodologies and protocols for discovery so that it can be followed by posterity. Irrational motivations are usually unsuccessful and discarded. In some cases irrational engagements prove successful. If they are repeatable, they can be observed and studied later. The Human Spirit must include both commitment to methodology as well as the element of chance in pursuit of greater understanding.

There is much to be learned about the nature of intelligence itself, and that makes for even more interesting ways to explore. Going beyond the boundaries of our experience may lead to observation of new relationships of the natural world and the nature of intelligence itself. We may then adapt new ways to thrive within this new understanding.

New discoveries are usually built upon the hard work and tenacity of people with more idealism than knowledge. They may have more determination than wisdom. By passing down their knowledge, the balance in future generations shifts to more knowledge. As this hard work produces more understanding, more adventurous directions can be pursued. Thus the sum knowledge of mankind aggregates exponentially. Without our brain and the willingness to test our abilities to adapt to new environments, we risk suffering the fate of species that do not have intelligence... extinction.

(Re-published from Aug 2008 removed Wikipedia article)