Rationality vs. Instinct: The Struggle for Meaningful Progress

Modern reflections on the essence of humanity emphasize that the true strength of Homo sapiens lies in the drive to live meaningfully—constantly growing and overcoming one’s limitations. The core idea is that our purpose is to devote our efforts to growth, knowledge, and the conscious transformation of our lives, rather than succumbing to destructive, primitive impulses. The authors, while exploring human potential, view us not merely as biologically determined beings but as creatures whose nature enables progress to become an intrinsic part of existence. They note that our genetic makeup contains the abilities that allow us to pursue wisdom and self-improvement, even though real life often lures us into instinctive automatism and destructive patterns.

This ideology pushes us to consciously choose the path of knowledge and progress, demonstrating that a rational existence is a constant battle against primitiveness—when a person forsakes immediate comforts for a higher purpose. Unlike a situation where one loses the innate drive for self-development, the educated Homo sapiens retains the strength and impetus to change both the world and himself.

Ultimately, a culture based on rationality shows the importance of remembering our potential, for it is through perseverance in learning, development, and conscious actions that we can overcome our natural biological predispositions and realize a future full of bold ideas and constructive change.

How can human irrationality be characterized in comparison to the rational Homo sapiens?

The works explore the idea that the true strength of Homo sapiens lies in the purposeful struggle for a high-quality, meaningful existence—that is, in the pursuit of progress and self-improvement—whereas irrationality manifests as a deviation from this essence when a person succumbs to destructive or primitive instincts.

For example, one passage states:
"All people on the planet belong to the species Homo sapiens—the rational man. It seems obvious to us that, from the point of view of heredity, we cannot rise above what we have been genetically made capable of by the last five generations of our ancestors."
(Source: link )

This statement emphasizes that, even though biologically we are created as beings capable of rational behavior, there exists a contradiction between our genetic potentials and the way we often behave in everyday life.

Furthermore, another author stresses that rationality is reflected in the drive for self-development and a conscious approach to life:
"Progress is inevitable; on our part, it expresses itself in rationality. Homo sapiens differs from other creatures in that it conducts its struggle for life not through cruelty and destruction, but through meaningfulness and determination. The overwhelming urge for self-development, the inexplicable need to fight for life—all of this is embodied in our rational nature. A person changes and improves precisely because of reason and a purposeful pursuit of knowledge and progress."
(Source: 1182_593.json)

Thus, human irrationality can be characterized as the loss or insufficient development of the innate capacity for meaningful, purposeful self-development. While Homo sapiens is inherently driven to overcome both themselves and the world through rational action, irrational manifestations lead to a lifestyle dominated by primitive instincts and destructive behavioral patterns. An additional illustration of irrationality is the perspective that, contrary to their higher purpose, people sometimes behave "absolutely terribly, worse than cows, worse than crocodiles, worse than insects," indicating a disconnect between the potential of a rational being and the reality of its existence.
(Source: link , page 32)

In summary, the rational Homo sapiens expresses its true essence through the constant aspiration for knowledge, progress, and conscious actions, whereas irrationality appears when one strays from these lofty ideals in favor of primitive, automatic behavior.

Supporting citation(s):
"All people on the planet belong to the species Homo sapiens—the rational man. It seems obvious to us that, from the point of view of heredity, we cannot rise above what we have been genetically made capable of by the last five generations of our ancestors." (source: link )
"Progress is inevitable; on our part, it expresses itself in rationality. Homo sapiens differs from other creatures in that it conducts its struggle for life not through cruelty and destruction, but through meaningfulness and determination. The overwhelming urge for self-development, the inexplicable need to fight for life—all of this is embodied in our rational nature. A person changes and improves precisely because of reason and a purposeful pursuit of knowledge and progress." (source: 1182_593.json)
"A human being is the highest creation of God, an astonishing creature, but lives in a completely terrifying way—worse than cows, worse than crocodiles, worse than insects." (source: link , page 32)