Divine Order and the Limits of Enhancing Animal Life
In today's world, where science strives to penetrate all the mysteries of existence, it is important to remember the fine line between inquiry and the acceptance of an established order. The lives of animals appear as part of a higher design in which each creature is assigned its own role, and attempts to “improve” their existence through the lens of human self-awareness may disrupt the harmony of this divine plan. Unlike animals—granted life by the will of God and not in need of self-reflection—humans possess the unique faculties of free will and self-development. This distinction emphasizes that our pursuit of constant change cannot simply be applied to other forms of life if they are inherently attuned to a different rhythm of existence. Recognizing this difference not only allows us to better understand the nature of each creation, but also helps us learn to appreciate and preserve the harmony embedded in the fabric of the world. Thus, showing respect for animals does not require imposing human criteria for development; it means acknowledging their purpose within the framework of divine order.
Is it necessary to improve the life of animals, given the limitations of modern science in understanding the structure of the world and the nature of the soul?Based on the presented materials, one can conclude that the nature of animal life is defined as something within God’s providence, designed in such a manner that animals do not have the capacity for self-conscious self-improvement characteristic of humans. In one excerpt, it is stated directly:"Such a life, I believe, God has allotted to animals—crawlers, fliers, swimmers, or, to say it generally, the voiceless. The difference between the human soul and the animal soul is a refutation of the theory of evolution... The human spirit must be recognized as the highest, independent spiritual principle and as such represents a self-aware and free spirit." (source: link txt)This passage emphasizes that animals are given life by God’s will, fundamentally different from the life of a human who is endowed with freedom and the capacity for self-awareness. This difference suggests that an attempt to “improve” animal life based on human concepts and the limited knowledge of modern science may be inappropriate, since animals are not designed for conscious self-development nor do they experience a need to change their condition.Additionally, the material indicates that:"An animal does not exhibit its own thought or will in the formation of its life... if a human were as mentally passive as an animal, then... he could represent only a particular type of the common simian breed." (source: link txt)This statement underlines that animals, by nature, remain passive in the realm of self-improvement, while a human, thanks to his will and self-consciousness, is capable of profound changes in his life. Thus, attempts to improve the life of animals—based on the limited understanding of modern science regarding the nature of the soul and the structure of the world—may conflict with their divinely ordained purpose.It is also noted that animals do not possess the level of self-awareness that would allow them to independently assess or demand changes in their way of life. Such an order is part of the universal harmony, where each creation is assigned its own role.In conclusion, responding to the question: from the perspective of the presented sources, improving the life of animals in terms of altering their nature or life path is unnecessary, as their existence is defined as part of an established divine order, where they do not exhibit the characteristics that would necessitate or allow for “improvement” in the way it is understood for humans.Supporting citation(s):"Such a life, I believe, God has allotted to animals—crawlers, fliers, swimmers, or, to say it generally, the voiceless. The difference between the human soul and the animal soul is a refutation of the theory of evolution... The human spirit must be recognized as the highest, independent spiritual principle and as such represents a self-aware and free spirit." (source: link txt)"An animal does not exhibit its own thought or will in the formation of its life... if a human were as mentally passive as an animal, then... he could represent only a particular type of the common simian breed." (source: link txt)