Ethical dilemma: What makes life worth living? - Douglas MacLean

Puzzle through a classic ethical dilemma and decide: can human existence be meaningful without its creativity and culture?

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Life on your planet depends entirely on Nuronium for normal cognition. Unfortunately, its source has been compromised and you are now at risk of extinction. Scientists have found an alternate energy source, Polixate, but it can’t sustain cognition and would mean the loss of people's creativity. So, what shall it be: extinction or life without culture? Douglas MacLean explores this classic dilemma.

Lesson by Douglas MacLean, directed by Asparuh Petrov, Compote Collective.

This video was produced in collaboration with the Parr Center for Ethics, housed within the renowned Philosophy Department at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The Parr Center is committed to integrating abstract work in ethical theory with the informed discussion of practical ethical issues, and prides itself on the development of innovative and inclusive approaches to moral and civic education.

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[marianougaz]

If you think about it rationally, in both scenarios culture and meaningful memories eventually disappear, yet in one life continues. I believe life in and of itself is valuable and beautiful, and I think that’s why people like observing nature and everything it has to offer. I also think part of the question has to do with how you want the species to be remembered, but no one will even be around to do the remembering.

[tokrv]

Whatever you'll choose, it's crucial to:
1. At least get Polixate while we can, even if we'll not use it
2. Obviously work on ways to preserve fertility with Nuronium
3. Immediately test Polixate on people who want it. Try to lower the side-effects of Polixate
4. Let people choose. Work on a way to allow both people who want to stay with Nuronium or chose Polixate to live on the same planet or solar system. At least build enclosed Nuronium-only and Polixate-only enclaves so both groups can live the way they want. Connect them via the Internet and some safe passage, so Nuronium users can continue to help people who chose Polixate for as long as possible
5. Create educational materials that allow Polixate users to learn the most important things in case of the total extinction of Nuronium users
6. Preserve copies of everything crucial all around the planet and in space, so people will eventually be able to rediscover it. In worst case scenario it'll take millions of years of evolution but humans have a chance to get smarter again

[lucianoosorio]

“Life is complicated. I killed people, smuggled people, sold people. Perhaps here, things will be different.” Niko Bellic

[pineapplestraws]

The personal value that culture and creativity has added to my life is immense. As a species were always looking out for our survival so it would make sense to choose Polixate. But the loss of beauty, art and creativity would isolate us from each other and kill us anyways. That's like becoming robotic. Surviving not living. Which is why I'm more inclined towards Nuronium. Also bearing the greater hopes that in the 100 years some other solution might present itself and our existing science might help us research on it .

[randomrisest]

I'm on team nuronium.
In my opinion, humanity's history, cultur, imagination and memories are what making life worth living, not mindless reproduction.

[nyasky]

When I was in deep despair due to schizophrenia, I sought answer for suffering and meaning of my life.
After several years of struggling, I started getting better. Though I still have handicaps today, I'm pretty contented with my life without any meaning.

[smickothesmickest]

This is a very interesting dilemma, but I think I have to go with Polixate. Yes, we might not be able to keep our culture, and it's possible that doctor was wrong and that happiness would be lowered, but it's possible that at some point, we might be able to evolve and regain everything, after all, that's how some other species came to be, right? For example, insects gained larger sizes back in the past, but due to the oxygen being lowered, they changed back to nearly the very same form they were before, so it's possible we could discover one last bit of Neuronium, or a substitute, and regain the culture and everything!

[yulioammaratha]

I am on the side of Nuronium where I realize the importance of our precious lives. There are many things that I have learned, both important and unimportant, which show how big the ethical dilemma we are testing is and how difficult it is for us to face various trials and obstacles, which proves that we are truly human.

[totalfreedom]

_In the end, only three things matter: how much you loved, how gently you lived, and how gracefully you let go of things not meant for you._ ―Attributed to Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha)
*_Without love and sense of humor there is unhappiness and life is meaningless._* 💕☮🌎🌌

[SevenUnwokenDreams]

As someone with schizoaffective disorder and OCD, I can say that creativity gives my life purpose, meaning, color. It allows me to explore connections with other people so that I am not so lonely. Obviously in a psychotic episode I am not very creative, but in between episodes, I need meaning in my life. Otherwise it is just not worth being alive.
I realize that my own personal preference shouldn't decide what's moral, but I can't see a world where people connect with each other, learn, and grow without culture, music, the arts. I feel we would be isolated zombies. Very lonely. Possibly end up killing each other if not ourselves.

[JustFreddi]

I'm pro Polixate/Px. Animals also don't have (complex) culture but I still think their lifes do have meaning, and they can feel emotions like happiness or sadness.

[rbk]

Im definitely on team Nuronium. Our mental capacity to imagine and come up with creative solutions to problems is what makes us truly human. Even if our species go extinct, we die out along with the rich culture cultivated for centuries. If we choose Px, we would lose the sense of living life to the fullest and succumb to millions of years of living with mediocre minds incapable of imaginative thinking

[cerarobert]

I side with nuronium. Because even if we live for a short time we should live to the fullest. And hoping for a better future is what gives us happiness. We all go through problems in daily life and to all the people struggling like me out there:- "You've got this !!!". 😃❤.

[_user]

I love Ted ed cause it tells so many diverse topic
From philosophy to mythology
From science to religions
From war to conservation
The animation and narration
Everything is superb ❤
Love from India 🙏

[yathishs]

Once again, ted-ed has pulled off an amazing, beautiful and exuberantly awesome video that everyone admires and cherishes

[Alan_Skywalker]

This is basically asking which one is more hopeful:
To keep the culture and achievements, and possibly use them to develope a method to resolve the matter,
Or to begin again, pass the torch to the next generations which may evolve again to the hight they once were.
I think more conditions are needed to make the decision.

[davea]

I would vote that a global referendum be taken on this. If a global referendum is not possible, then I would vote for the
Polixate solution with this stipulation that as much of the memories, data, technology, culture and art be preserved with massive structures that could last for millions of years and be easily accessed but protected. There is a possibility that even if just one person is immune to the effect of Polixate then he could access the information and teach the others.

[fkmyoutube]

I clicked into this video seeking answers, and now I am left with more questions to begin with.

Nice one, TED.

[ezay]

My initial thought was that we have a subsection of people on Nuronium and reserve them to highly complex jobs and give the rest of the planet on Polixate. This would always for the advancement of the species while preserving life. As I continue to think about it, that may end with these two factions essentially becoming separate species with those on nuronium being “better” than those on polixate, even though they live shorter lives.

If I had to choose one, I would have to choose Polixate. Even if we don’t rekindle civilization in the near future, having hope in that future would ultimately be better than essentially sanctioning your own extinction.

[mwaio]

honestly no dilemma here for me: nuronium would be the obvious choice. it's interesting though to read the other views on this, makes me realize just how differently we think and approach life which is so cool except when we're at each other throats because of it