Will man's developing intelligence and self-awareness help or hinder his chances for long-term survical?

Question

Will man's developing intelligence and self-awareness help or hinder his chances for long-term survical?

Answer 1

I believe that it will help the chances for long-term survival, because as long as developing intelligence is paired with the self-awareness, the intelligence cannot harm chances of survival...But if intelligence increases, without self-awareness, what is going on today in the world will continue (e.g. global warming, another cold war, whatever you see when you turn on the news today...) and eventually, man will go extinct like all the other animals have in the past.

Answer 2

In my opinion it depends on just how far our intelligence can develop before something happens.

If we continue on the path we are on NOW, then it will be a hindrance. More sophisticated weaponry to try to take over the world will be a majority of what we develop. It's an argument of human nature, but I don't think that's REALLY the point you're trying to get at.

But if over time our way of thinking changes, and less people see a need to be superior to others, and just live a life that they are comfortable with, then our intelligence will be a great blessing and who knows what will come.

Answer 3

Will technology and pollution kill the human race eventually?  If yes, then us being smart is actually a bad thing.  If no, then it will help us to survive and overcome obsticles (disease, hunger, etc.).

No one can know this unless you have a time machine to see the future.