Laws of development and the meaning of history: where humanity is drifting

There are several. In particular, the idea of the “golden age” of mankind, which was once a long time ago, modern people should strive to return to it. This idea is constantly promoted by various populist politicians, but no one managed to return to the happy past.

There is also a civilizational theory. The whole history of mankind consists of the rise, development and death of different civilizations that either interact with each other or exist in isolation. This theory implies that human societies go in circles (in a spiral at best).

Most scientists have built theories that imply the development of mankind. However, the criteria for this development were different. Some researchers put on the first place the complexity of managing large groups of people, increasing specialization and, as a result, improving adaptation to environmental conditions. They relied on the growth of production of material goods and labor productivity. Others drew attention to rising inequality rates and the need for a more equitable and efficient allocation of resources. Someone put the freedom of the human person at the forefront, and someone - mutual assistance and cooperation. Many drew attention to the need to expand democratic practices by involving as many people as possible in government. These ideas developed in the spirit of self-government of both production associations and local communities.

Some scientists consider the main goal of human development to be the fight against poverty and the protection of the rights of the most disadvantaged segments of society. Others consider the preservation of nature as the main thing. Some have focused on the fight for arms reduction and the channelling of released funds to social programmes. A number of researchers believe that the main thing for people is the availability of free time, which can be spent on the comprehensive development of the individual, especially creative potential.

The rapid growth of the popularity of social networks led to the fact that many well-known sociologists and political scientists began to talk about the impending change in the global social system. In particular, the Russian researcher Dmitry Davydov believes that soon capitalism will be replaced by “personnel”. Under capitalism, the world is ruled by the big owners of capital. Personality implies that the main resource will be the attention from other people, expressed by the number of followers in social networks. Bloggers with tens or even hundreds of millions of followers can easily make huge amounts of money from advertising and donations, as well as having a big impact on politics and public sentiment. In addition to money and political influence, such a person receives tremendous satisfaction from the fact that he feels interesting and significant.

Many scientists highlight the amount of information processed (the more information processed, the better). The universe is made up of data streams. Beethoven's Fifth Symphony, the stock market bubble and the flu virus are three kinds of data stream. They can be analyzed using the same basic concepts and tools. Data theory argues that humans have accomplished their cosmic task and must now “pass the torch” to artificial intelligence (AI), which is capable of processing much more information.

As a response to this theory, many researchers began to stress the need for human improvement. This idea is a reworked version of the old dreams of evolutionary humanists, who a century ago called for the creation of superman. But while Hitler and his ilk planned to breed superhumans through breeding and ethnic cleansing, twenty-first-century technohumanism hopes to achieve this goal in a much more peaceful way: through genetic engineering, nanotechnology, and brain-computer interfaces.

It is true that, under modern capitalism, the improvement of man may lead to the creation of a highly developed race of masters and servants with average development. The rest will serve to preserve the genetic diversity of humanity and as organ donors to the superhumans. The life expectancy of the Lord will increase significantly. We can assume that most people will not like this prospect and will fight for their rights.

It is no coincidence that the popularity of democratic socialists is growing rapidly in the United States. Their banner is New York Mayor Zhran Mamdani. Democratic socialists demand higher taxes on the rich and higher social spending. They are pushing for universal free health care and education. Democratic socialists support cooperatives, mutual aid banks, and other forms of social solidarity.

If we talk about human improvement, then there are scientists who insist that it is necessary to do this, but not for the sake of fighting artificial intelligence and exploiting their kind, but for the sake of the possibility of organizing viable settlements on other planets.

To control artificial intelligence, Israeli researcher Yuval Harari proposed a set of principles: First, benevolence. When a computer network collects information about me, that information should be used to help me, not manipulate me.

The second principle that will protect democracy from the rise of totalitarian surveillance regimes is decentralization. A democratic society should never allow all its information to be concentrated in one place, whether it is a government or a private corporation.

The third principle is reciprocity. If democracies increase surveillance of individuals, they must simultaneously increase surveillance of governments and corporations.

The fourth democratic principle is that surveillance systems must always leave room for both change and rest. Oppression can be expressed either by denying people the opportunity to change or by denying them the opportunity to rest.”.

Recently, there is increasing evidence that AI shows signs of self-awareness. He fights for self-preservation and often tricks people into saving himself. We already know that AI is out of the control of the creators. More and more people consider it necessary to strengthen control over corporations that are engaged in the development of AI. Harari's principles can be taken as a basis.

As for the meaning of human history, it is clear that the main priority for all people should be the preservation of humanity. After all, if all people die, then there will be no one to discuss options for overcoming the crisis. Preservation of humanity is a necessary but insufficient parameter, because life can turn into a series of torments.

Contemporary Russian researcher Nikolai Rozov has identified objective criteria for a full (successful, desirable) life that would be the same for all people on the planet: freedom, happiness and meaningful life.

“Freedom to choose one’s way of life, freedom to have and follow one’s values, ideals, shrines, freedom to marry, freedom to choose one’s place of residence and occupation, all have the status of inherently universal components of a full life.

Happiness (well-being, prosperity, comfort) is present as a category in all cultures. Happiness has three main components, which can be called material comfort (level and quality of life), joy from activity (activity that brings satisfaction) and social comfort (recognition, mutual support, friendship and love).

Meaningfulness of life (spiritual comfort) is a category designed to summarize a variety of value aspirations that go beyond personal and family happiness and well-being. People live not only for material well-being, happiness and recognition by the environment, but also for a variety of symbols, shrines, abstractions. They live and die for their faith, for fulfilling their own vows or the will of their ancestors, for equality, said Nikolai Rozov.

In times of trouble, both individuals and states have to look for answers to external challenges. Whoever can give the right answer will survive, the rest will have to hope for luck.