The Impact of Human Strength Similar to Chimps in a Conscious Society

Imagine a world where humans, weighing 120 pounds, possess the same level of strength as 120-pound chimpanzees. How would this transformation impact our society, particularly in terms of interpersonal conflict and the development of personal goodness? This article explores these intriguing scenarios, diving into the implications of such a shift.

The Evolution of Human Strength

Chimpanzees, despite being smaller in stature, excel in certain physical tasks due to their muscular specialization, especially for activities involving upper-body pulling such as pull-ups. This physiological advantage allows them to perform feats like climbing and using their grip and jaw strength more efficiently. However, when we consider the overall physical capabilities of a human versus a chimp, the picture changes significantly.

Humans are indeed bigger and, in most contexts, stronger than chimps. Our superior anatomy, greater muscle mass, and visceral skills enable us to outperform chimps in a wide range of physical activities, including gripping, climbing, and even biting if our musculature were more similar to that of chimps. However, this increased strength has its limitations in practical use due to the tools and machines humans have developed.

Implications on Interpersonal Conflict

Despite our enhanced physical capabilities, the introduction of 120-pound humans with chimp-like strength would not drastically alter the nature of interpersonal conflicts. Why? Because the physical strength differences between people are insignificant compared to the machinery and equipment we use for heavy lifting and construction.

Heavy machinery like forklifts, dump trucks, bulldozers, and cranes are hundreds or even thousands of times stronger than a human. Therefore, regardless of how much stronger a human may be compared to a chimp, the use of such equipment renders the strength differences practically irrelevant for most serious lifting and construction tasks.

The Role of Consciousness in Society

Our cognitive ability and consciousness play a critical role in shaping our behavior and interpersonal relationships. If humans were as strong as chimps, the additional burden of interpersonal conflict due to increased physical strength might not significantly change overall societal dynamics. Yet, the need for personal goodness would undoubtedly increase.

Personal goodness, a complex mix of virtues such as transcendent love and wisdom, is essential for a healthy human state. Transcendent love involves unconditioned hope for virtuous transformation within ourselves and others, fostering confidence and understanding through non-defensive and non-angry means. Virtue, characterized by truthfulness, wisdom, and wisdom, guides us to success and helps us avoid pitfalls in life and relationships.

While our willful nature and increased reasoning abilities might suggest greater cunning, they could also lead to a stronger inclination towards practicing goodness. However, this is not a guarantee, as our inherent human nature might persist even with enhanced strength, potentially leading to more serious injuries and deaths due to interpersonal conflicts.

Conclusion

While the physical strength of 120-pound humans becoming as strong as 120-pound chimps would have some minor implications, the overall impact on society would be minimal. The key factor remains our cognitive abilities and consciousness, which can either mitigate or exacerbate the challenges of interpersonal conflict. The need for goodness in a conscious society remains paramount, as it ensures the cultivation of healthy relationships and a harmonious existence.

Keywords

human strength, chimp strength, interpersonal conflict, consciousness, goodness