"What Is the Point of Human Beings?"

Climate change caused by human activities is a serious threat to the survival of our species, and one that we have not yet mustered the perspective and the will to address. Our vision tends to focus on what is useful to ourselves as individuals in the short term, instead of more broadly on what is n...

Full description

Saved in:

Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Psychodynamic psychiatry Vol. 52; no. 2; p. 132
Main Author:	Greene, Elizabeth Anne
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	United States 01-06-2024
Subjects:	Climate Change Humans Erikson generativity purpose care climate change
Online Access:	Get more information
Tags:	Add Tag No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!

Description
Summary:	Climate change caused by human activities is a serious threat to the survival of our species, and one that we have not yet mustered the perspective and the will to address. Our vision tends to focus on what is useful to ourselves as individuals in the short term, instead of more broadly on what is needed for the long-term good of our species. We do not consider what our purpose and role could be in the life of our planet. We do not ask "What is the point of human beings?" In this time of climate crisis, answering this question by developing a shared sense of purpose, a purpose centered on caring for the world as a whole, might give our species the perspective and will we need to survive.
ISSN:	2162-2604
DOI:	10.1521/pdps.2024.52.2.132