Would you step in to save humanity if you could?

[William]

For example - if you were leader of an Extraresstrial race of sentient space-faring beings and had the technical ability to show the human race how to get out of its current predicaments, would you give the order to do so?

If "yes" or "no", why?

[William]

[Replying to Dimmesdale in post #31]

Was your answer a "yes" or a "no"?

[Dimmesdale]

[Replying to Dimmesdale in post #31]

Was your answer a "yes" or a "no"?

I guess it would depend. I'm not sure.

[Dimmesdale]

I suppose I would need to have a sanction for saving humanity, either from God or a higher power with authority vested in deciding such matters.

But actually, barring any resistance, I would go for it. If it was strictly up to me. Somehow though I don't think that's how the universe works.

[brunumb]

But take secret societies throughout history. Not everyone (the masses) were privy to the esoteric knowledge those on top had. This is still the practice among some societies.

Human nature is such that secrets eventually escape into public domain. Every secret society we have heard about is no longer a secret society

[Dimmesdale]

But take secret societies throughout history. Not everyone (the masses) were privy to the esoteric knowledge those on top had. This is still the practice among some societies.

Human nature is such that secrets eventually escape into public domain. Every secret society we have heard about is no longer a secret society

You know this how?

[brunumb]

But take secret societies throughout history. Not everyone (the masses) were privy to the esoteric knowledge those on top had. This is still the practice among some societies.

Human nature is such that secrets eventually escape into public domain. Every secret society we have heard about is no longer a secret society

You know this how?

I'm sorry, but that is a secret.

[Dimmesdale]

But take secret societies throughout history. Not everyone (the masses) were privy to the esoteric knowledge those on top had. This is still the practice among some societies.

Human nature is such that secrets eventually escape into public domain. Every secret society we have heard about is no longer a secret society

You know this how?

I'm sorry, but that is a secret.

If there are plenty of secrets nowadays, then what to speak of centuries or millennia ago?

[William]

I suppose I would need to have a sanction for saving humanity, either from God or a higher power with authority vested in deciding such matters.

What if the ET Species didn't see the need to invoke an invisible unproven concept and had never encountered any power [authority] higher [better etc] than their own species?
What if they simply saw that IF there were a creator [god] THEN 'what to do' in relation to stepping in and saving humanity or allowing humanity to extinguish themselves, would be clear enough in relation to the universe itself?

But actually, barring any resistance, I would go for it. If it was strictly up to me. Somehow though I don't think that's how the universe works.

As the ET species, you are quite aware of how the universe works. You are equally aware that the human race is not, as they could do with being saved.

Do you save them?

[nobspeople]

[Replying to nobspeople in post #17]

It makes a lot of sense, if you think about it.
If you have the ability to create a better world (which, eliminating those that do harm constantly and or deliberately), why would you not act on it?
To me, it's a worthy idea.

So then the question can be asked. "If you have the power to do this worthy thing, why have you not yet used it?

What are some possible answers to this question...

Don't want to
Don't care anymore
Have given up
Found something more interesting in which to spend time
Changed the mindset
On vacation

[William]

[Replying to nobspeople in post #17]

It makes a lot of sense, if you think about it.
If you have the ability to create a better world (which, eliminating those that do harm constantly and or deliberately), why would you not act on it?
To me, it's a worthy idea.

So then the question can be asked. "If you have the power to do this worthy thing, why have you not yet used it?

What are some possible answers to this question...

Don't want to
Don't care anymore
Have given up
Found something more interesting in which to spend time
Changed the mindset
On vacation

So your ET Species;

Don't want to

The question is "Why" They have the ability, why don't they want to use it?

Don't care anymore

Do we have evidence which might support the idea that they ever cared?

Have given up

Do we have evidence which might support that at some time in human existence, they even tried?

Found something more interesting in which to spend time

More interesting as in more productive?

Changed the mindset

Implying that they once saw it a worthy cause to invest time and effort into, but have since come to a greater realisation that it is actually time wasted which would be better spent in other pursuits.
What are those other pursuits?

On vacation

Always. It would just seem like everything is part of an immense vacation, because 'technology'...so why involve ones time in working on using said tech, to save humanity?

The question is "If You Could" obviously your above reason for not, are not because you can't. They are because you won't.