Re: Definition
Posted by maxmccauley on 12-26-2007 in Are humans the most valuable organisms on the planet?Well, I think the problem lies in the fact that judging value is subjective. It really depends on what one considers to be "valuable"
The way I read the question it asks which organism is the most valuable overall. It says on the planet but that can be ignored because the only organisms we know of are on this planet. It seems like some people in this post are taking valuable to mean how much they help the other organisms and the planet. That is certainly one interpretation. I was taking it to mean which race has the most potential to do great and important things.
I really think it comes down to what one thinks is valuable. When arguments come down to that it is pretty much impossible to reach an agreement (i.e. abortion).
In response to: Definition
I am enjoying this debate as well.
However before we go on, I think we should define what we mean by valuable. I think there has been a lot of confusion about what we mean by valuable. Are we wondering which organism is better equipped to survive on the planet, which organism is the most capable to the continuation of life after the Earth's destruction, which organism is the essential for life on Earth, etc.
Perhaps, I simply do not understand what we mean by most valuable, but if possible, we need to get more specific because I personally do not believe that their is one organism that exceeds in all areas.