What is driving the will to exist?

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The discussion revolves around the intrinsic drive of living organisms to exist and reproduce, questioning the underlying motivations behind this behavior. Participants explore whether the will to exist is a product of evolution or if it suggests an external intent. The conversation highlights the idea that what may appear as altruistic acts are often rooted in self-interest, as individuals may act to secure the future of their kind or environment, even if they won't witness the outcomes. Key points include the assertion that evolution operates without a conscious drive; rather, it is a process of random mutations where advantageous traits are selected over time. The notion of a "will to exist" is debated, with some arguing it is a byproduct of the "will to reproduce," as survival is necessary for reproduction. The discussion also touches on the complexities of self-awareness and instinct, suggesting that while modern comforts may alter reproductive priorities, the fundamental instincts remain. Overall, the thread examines the interplay between evolutionary biology and the motivations behind survival and reproduction.
  • #31
GreatEscapist said:
Well, yeah, nowadays there are. But if we weren't so pampered by society today, an instinct would be to reproduce.

So, let me see if I've got this right - the world we live in nowadays is artificial and not really valid, and this other world you speak of is somehow a better yardstick of humanity and more valid?
 
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  • #32
Validity of social standards aside, unless I'm mistaken; the will to reproduce (or exist) and the instict to reproduce (or exist) are two separate things. I think most people have sensed the instinct to reproduce indepent of any will.
 
  • #33
DaveC426913 said:
So, let me see if I've got this right - the world we live in nowadays is artificial and not really valid, and this other world you speak of is somehow a better yardstick of humanity and more valid?

*sighs* Things I say never come out right.

Noooo, no. We just have a lot more comfort nowadays, and I think we all know we CAN reproduce, at almost anytime we want. It's not as big of a priority- as evidenced by people that wait till later in life to have children.

This world exists. :P
 
  • #34
GreatEscapist said:
*sighs* Things I say never come out right.

Noooo, no. We just have a lot more comfort nowadays, and I think we all know we CAN reproduce, at almost anytime we want. It's not as big of a priority- as evidenced by people that wait till later in life to have children.

This world exists. :P

Also, this is where you started out:

GreatEscapist said:
I believe that the will to exist is first to reproduce.


It's not so much that we have "comfort" these days as we have birth control. We're probably having as much sex as frequently as in any olden days of yore.

There is no 'drive to reproduce' . The humans with strong sex drives had the most sex, therefore they produced the most offspring. Those offspring most likely shared that characteristic. Now, though, we can control the offspring part, but I don't think the sex-having bit has reduced.
 
  • #35
GeorginaS said:
There is no 'drive to reproduce'.

:rolleyes:
Um, are you sure?
 
  • #36
GreatEscapist said:
:rolleyes:
Um, are you sure?

If sex were painful do you think we'd ever have to worry about over population?
 

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