SCIENTIFIC HUMANISM - Facts (I)

Research Methodology

A research approach based on the review and critical analysis of literary and academic sources dealing with topics related to humanism, science, sociology, economics and other relevant disciplines was adopted.

The bibliographic study was conducted through an exhaustive search of scientific publications, books, scholarly articles and relevant documents in digital libraries, specialized databases and other research resources. Reliable and recognized sources were selected to ensure the quality and thoroughness of the analysis.

In-depth study of the works of important and relevant authors was a key component of this study. Works that have contributed significantly to the field of scientific humanism, both classic and contemporary, were identified and consulted. Authors such as Carl Rogers, Abraham Maslow, Erich Fromm, Viktor Frankl, and Ken Wilber were subjected to detailed analysis and their ideas, theories, and approaches were explored in relation to the topics addressed in this article.

The method used to present a summary and synthesis of the facts consisted of a careful reading and understanding of the selected texts. Key points, main ideas, and central arguments presented by the authors were identified. Then, concise summaries of each work were prepared, highlighting the most relevant aspects and relating them to the concepts and themes of scientific humanism addressed in this article.

In addition, syntheses of the facts were made and connections were drawn between the various sources consulted. We sought to identify patterns, convergences, and divergences in the approaches of the authors, which allowed us to obtain a panoramic view of the intellectual panorama of Scientific Humanism. Through this process of analysis and synthesis, a deep understanding of the works was achieved and relevant conclusions were drawn for the development of the topics discussed.

It is important to emphasize that this methodological approach provided a solid basis for the development and substantiation of the ideas presented in this article on Scientific Humanism.

PART ONE: Overpopulation

Scientific humanism is a philosophical and scientific approach that seeks to use scientific knowledge to understand the world, improve human life, and promote the welfare of society. Its primary goal is the study of human nature and the search for practical solutions to the social and economic problems we face.

At the heart of scientific humanism is the search for a deeper understanding of human nature and the development of a culture based on respect and tolerance. It recognizes that science and technology can play a critical role in promoting equality, social justice, and the well-being of individuals and society as a whole.

While it is true that as living beings we have vital needs that make us sensitive, perceptive and emotional, the rational aspect also plays a fundamental role in our existence. However, it is important to emphasize that the development of rationality requires a long and costly learning process that begins at an early age and reaches its maximum expression in the creation of social structures that promote mutual benefit.

Scientific humanism represents a new perspective for understanding human actions, their circumstances, and the consequences that flow from them. It is based on a scientific approach that uses reductionist deductive tools to unravel the apparent complexity and chaos of human behavior, thus generating new paradigms that are useful for both individuals and society as a whole.

This scientific approach of Scientific Humanism is characterized by its total independence from taboos, restrictions and prejudices such as racism, sexism, nationality, social class, religion or creed. Through this objective analysis, transcendental issues such as violence, social inequality and human unhappiness are addressed, seeking new answers to the question of their origin and how to overcome them.

Scientific humanism provides a clear and enlightening understanding of the philosophical concept of "good" and "evil" without resorting to the notion of demons or angels. It also reveals the true causes of violence. Based on a critical and analytical approach, scientific humanism proposes new solutions that contribute to social development and collaborate in the search for a better world.

At a critical historical moment, where insecurity, fear and the threat of major catastrophes are present, we need more than ever a real "road map" to guide us towards a future in which we can overcome our tribal and semi-savage state of constant struggle and enter into a truly advanced planetary civilization.

The long-term survival of our species and the pursuit of human happiness depend on our ability to embrace the principles of scientific humanism and use them as the basis for building a more harmonious and prosperous world.

1. Overpopulation

Overpopulation is a concept we hear and read about constantly in the media, and we have accepted it almost unconditionally. In reality, however, our planet is not overpopulated and there is no shortage of resources such as food, housing, water or energy.

To understand this phenomenon, it is important to consider the following points:

Problems such as hunger, violence, wars, and human conflicts have existed throughout history, regardless of the number of people.

Population growth is a consequence of improved access to resources such as food, water, energy, medical care, reduced infant mortality, and increased life expectancy. This process has been going on since the Neolithic period and continues to increase until today.

The inhabited and humanized surface of the planet represents only 7.6%. The majority of the population, about 55% of this percentage, lives in urban areas near water.

Therefore, the alarmist and catastrophic studies that predicted the consequences of overpopulation, such as hunger or energy (oil) shortages, carried out by eminent scientists in the 1960s and 1970s, have not come true. These studies did not take into account that it is human beings who produce resources, and that a greater number of people means a greater production of resources. In addition, an increase in population leads to the development of more ideas, more technology, and more useful inventions to solve problems.

Evaluating a future situation, such as population and resources, based solely on current data and resources lacks logic. Future data, such as population, will provide us with new variables, such as technologies and increased production capacity, to solve problems and foster creativity.

It is important to note that since 1960, food production has increased more than demand, which has led to a significant decrease in prices. Currently, the production of grains, milk, fish, sugar, meat, and vegetables exceeds the food needs of the world's population.

However, as we have already observed, it does not matter whether the world population is 100 million (some 2,000 years ago) or 7 billion, since the result remains the same: hunger for more than 10% of the population, malnutrition and an unequal distribution of resources, with control concentrated in less than 1% of the population.

As for the planet's capacity to produce food, thanks to technology we have witnessed an increase in productivity since the 18th century. In 1960, with a population of about 3 billion, there were 14 million km2 of cultivated land on the planet, which is twice the area of Australia or the area of Antarctica. Our planet has 150 million km2 of cultivated land. Currently, the cultivated area is 17 million km2 and growing.?

Although it is not possible to cultivate 100% of the arable land, there is still a lot of work to be done. With current technology, energy and human labor, it is possible to colonize and inhabit about 100 million additional km2.

On the other hand, the discussion about human habitat is also distorted and does not correspond to reality. More than 55% of the world's population is concentrated in urban areas, which occupy only 2% of the planet's surface. While we cannot fill the entire planet with cities, we can increase urban areas proportionally as we expand agricultural areas. A rough calculation suggests that if we expand the area occupied by cities with high population concentration by 16%, we would need about 70 million km2 of cultivated land, which would allow for an estimated population of 60 billion people.

The issue of water is also often a cause for concern. However, our planet is predominantly "oceanic", and the term "terrestrial" is a misperception of the relationship between the land surface and the ocean surface. Today we have numerous technologies to make seawater directly potable. In addition, all rainwater is ocean water made potable by the planet's natural water cycle. The water we consume, both directly and indirectly, and all the water we use in our activities, is recycled and recirculated. Only a small percentage is lost in the upper layers of the atmosphere due to ultraviolet radiation. This loss, known as the Urey effect, is responsible for a significant portion of the Earth's oxygen. A small amount of hydrogen, which is lighter, escapes from the atmosphere into space. Therefore, with the right technology and care, we can say that we have virtually unlimited water resources.

Finally, the energy issue is extremely diverse in terms of resources. Take oil, for example. The energy we get from oil is obtained by burning it, either directly to move vehicles or to generate electricity. Despite scientific and technical approaches that predicted an imminent decline in production, oil production has continued to grow, tripling in the last 50 years. New discoveries on continental shelves around the world and new reserves in South America have tripled proven reserves. In addition, the development of renewable energy technologies such as photovoltaics, wind, biomass, and geothermal, as well as continued advances in batteries, have opened up new possibilities that were unimaginable 50 years ago.

The human species thrives on the special combination of "geniuses," or people with exceptional intelligence and insight, and the ability of all people to recognize the benefits of working together and cooperating for their own benefit, what we call social intelligence.

In the coming decades, we will witness the emergence of new technologies that are unimaginable today. Many nascent technologies will mature and become socialized, becoming useful resources for the general population.

Of course, it is impossible to predict the future. However, our special social capacity, together with the ability of our "geniuses" to envision new horizons, will lead us to a future in which challenges and difficulties will be overcome. There is no need to dream of colonizing Mars or the Moon for the time being. Before that, we must intelligently colonize our own planet.?

Perhaps when our population reaches 60 billion people, our ability to seek solutions and develop new technologies, driven by the abundance of "geniuses," will be sufficient to begin the colonization of other worlds.

According to Scientific Humanism, at some point in the future we will stop fighting among ourselves, overcome the fears that paralyze us, and begin to empathize deeply, to cooperate and collaborate on the only project that really matters: our survival as a species.?

At that moment, the fear, hunger and suffering we inflict on ourselves and other living beings will disappear, and we will achieve the true and longed-for freedom and happiness.

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Bibliography:

Julian Simon: Economist and author of "The Ultimate Resource," in which he argues that population growth is beneficial and that resources are unlimited due to human ingenuity.

Bj?rn Lomborg: Author of "The Skeptical Environmentalist," in which he challenges alarmist claims about resource scarcity and argues that humanity has the capacity to solve environmental problems.

Matt Ridley: Author of "The Rational Optimist," which argues that the exchange of ideas and human cooperation have led to increased prosperity and the solution of historical problems.

Hans Rosling: Statistician and author of "Factfulness: Ten Reasons We're Wrong About the World-and Why Things Are Better Than You Think," in which he challenges negative perceptions and offers an optimistic view based on data and facts.

Norman Borlaug: Agronomist and Nobel Peace Prize winner known as the "Father of the Green Revolution. His work in developing high-yielding wheat varieties helped increase food production and avert famine in several countries.