The Ecological Purpose of Humans

I know our biological purpose (multiply and survive), and our self imposed purpose (work and eventually retire), but I can't put a finger on the ecological purpose of human existence. I'm sure we had one in our pre-agricultural days (eat and get eaten), but I don't think we do anymore. Any idea?

 

Our "self imposed" purposes can be antithetical to the ecological purposes of human existence. The ecological norm is still eat and get eaten, not acquire wealth and live forever.

 

I like to hope that in 2012, or sometime soon, we will discover our ecological purpose, or come much closer. If mankind had an ecological purpose, you're right, there's nothing! That in itself is astounding though, an existing species with no real purpose. Just the one our governments have attempted to force upon us. I will not work so that others can get rich, that can't be my purpose.

 

Ecologically we have long since surpassed a simple 'top of the food chain' position and don't seem to serve any purpose - unless it is a rather confusing one having to do with us more or less wiping the ecological slate clean. Perhaps just as whatever killed the dinosaurs almost wiped the planet of life, we will do this time...and maybe these two events will be part of a chain of many such events that constantly repeat.

But more likely we're just a little too big for our briches right now and mother nature will eventually thin the herd with some manner of disease or disaster. Awful as it sounds, I sometimes find myself rooting for it to happen soon.

 

i think now it's to protect. cuz with power comes responsibility. to further enhance survival in general.
i think we're still in a dark era of the higher-conscious bracket of existing where we're not in tune with our own power and its to be expected.

 

Take care of your mother, earth, and she will take care of you !

 

This is one question that continually haunts me. We are way beyond apex predators and there is nothing to compare ourselves to. The sheer ease with which we dominate other species has never been seen before. However, we must remember that ecosystems, whilst being a delicate balance; are really still a struggle to the top. Humans have made it to the top, and as such we have developed much higher intelligence and more complex emotion. We are the earth's consciousness incarnate, if you want something more philosophical. Still I wonder what our species should do with itself. I prefer to see myself as a guardian of the planet.

 

You may or may not have a religious background, but I know that, out there, there are many Christians (though maybe not the kind that come to mind when you hear the word) who believe that we were put here as stewards or gardeners... who have problems with those who exploit the earth, regardless of religion or belief structure... as I assume there are those in other belief systems who think our purpose is care for the world.

 

We are the shepherds, as we are the only animals intelligent enough to tell other animals waht to do, when it is best for them.

 

Before we master the planet become masters of ourselves. We can't even feed each other right now.

 

I hope we can

 

That is fine. Our hopes and dreams may or may not appear in time, but what will be done, is done.

 

To monitor gravity.. and this job sucks...