What would you say is the pinnacle of human achievment?

[QUOTE="pianist"][QUOTE="cpo335"]

The wheel.

cpo335

An incredibly important invention /discovery - but the fact that we've taken the concept of the wheel and used it to create much more complex devices instantly renders it a non-started in the 'pinnacle of human achievement' category. How could it be the pinnacle if the idea has been taken further?

Religion? I actually like that answer better than the wheel (or any other single piece of technology), because again, you're looking beyond the obvious and asking "what makes humanity truly unique?" Whether one agrees with it or not, there can be no argument that religious beliefs are the direct result of our rather incredible capacity for imagination, and for asking philosophical questions which demand our equally incredible intellectual abilities for consideration.

I certainly wouldn't call religion the pinnacle of human achievement, as I feel that it has impeded human progress in other disciplines all too often, but it's a good answer in any event.

[QUOTE="Nifty_Shark"]I hope nobody posting bands is serious. Anyway I would say electricity.pianist

Don't underestimate the significance of art. One could make a compelling argument that art may well represent the pinnacle of human achievement, given that it demonstrates our enormous capacity for emotion and expression, which is one of our greatest defining characteristics as a species. There is more to humanity than technological development and science. That said... I agree that individual accomplishments ought not be considered the pinnacle of human achievement. Especially bands. Ugh.

I don't dare underestimate the power of music. You're absolutely right about the ability to evoke emotion. I don't think I'm alone when I say some musical pieces or songs can define a feeling better than explaining it.

Communication. That includes writing, language, body language, everything. Without communication we would have never achieved a society of this technological status. UGAfootballfan

That's a great answer too. A question though... is it the pinnacle? Or is it simply a tool to help us reach the pinnacle? Is communication the end all and be all of human development, or was it simply an enabler that allowed us to pursue the true pinnacle of human achievement?

A pinnacle of achievement is the result of certain important pieces of the 'puzzle' falling into place. I would argue that communication is one of those pieces. We couldn't reach the pinnacle without it, but it is not in and of itself the pinnacle, because we used it to get even further. So it's like the axe that allowed you to cut down the tree which you subsequently use to build a house. The house is the resulting achievement; the axe was a tool without which the achievement could not have been realized.

No.5 road in Richmond, British Columbia.

Why? Because on this 5 km stretch of road, there are a multitude of different faith groups: Christian schools, a Jewish school, a Muslim school, a Sikh temple, and a Buddhist temple. This something that we as human beings, always struggle to achieve. Being able to co-exist peacefully.

It might not be the pinnacle, but it is worth mentioning

[QUOTE="UGAfootballfan"]Communication. That includes writing, language, body language, everything. Without communication we would have never achieved a society of this technological status. pianist

That's a great answer too. A question though... is it the pinnacle? Or is it simply a tool to help us reach the pinnacle? Is communication the end all and be all of human development, or was it simply an enabler that allowed us to pursue the true pinnacle of human achievement?

A pinnacle of achievement is the result of certain important pieces of the 'puzzle' falling into place. I would argue that communication is one of those pieces. We couldn't reach the pinnacle without it, but it is not in and of itself the pinnacle, because we used it to get even further. So it's like the axe that allowed you to cut down the tree which you subsequently use to build a house. The house is the resulting achievement; the axe was a tool without which the achievement could not have been realized.

A great point, as well as a great metaphor. I agree. So what is the pinnacle? Maybe peace? There is absolutely no negatives of peace. With peace comes happiness, cooperation. The world would be such a better place if there was peace. But seeing as we have not achieved world peace it is not possible to be the pinnacle. This is a very difficult question.

A great point, as well as a great metaphor. I agree. So what is the pinnacle? Maybe peace? There is absolutely no negatives of peace. With peace comes happiness, cooperation. The world would be such a better place if there was peace. But seeing as we have not achieved world peace it is not possible to be the pinnacle. This is a very difficult question.

UGAfootballfan

Again, it may not be a question that has an answer. The only possibility I can think of is civilization, because it is very much the result of all of our achievements at any given point in time. And unlike natural wonders, the wonder of civilization is something that we have to work very hard to maintain. It encompasses all that we are, and with every advance we make in any field, so too does civilization advance. But then, when you get right down to it, civilization may not be considered an achivement in and of itself, either, because it's really just the collective achievements of everybody who happens to contribute. Just by living their lives, most people contribute something to their civilization, even if only as a cog that helps put up a building that sells shoes in bulk.

And of course, this would be an utterly impossible question to answer if we're talking about anything beyond the present. We have no idea what heights we will reach and we will accomplish in the time we exist. This is one of the reasons that I wouldn't mind living until the end of humanity (if it ever happens). I want to know where we'll end up.