Dwill:
I wondered if, just perhaps, Christipher Hitchens was indulging in some hopefulness, too, when he seemed to look forward to continued human physical evolution. It's worth noting that we all appear to view evolution as a progressive thing, whereas I suppose that our evolution, if it occurred, could be regressive as well. That would be a subjective call.
As far as physical evolution goes, we are hopeful because we do live longer, in the developed world at least, and we have made great strides forward in the treatment of disease and the aging process. Looking at nature, evolution does not appear to regress, although some species seem to reach a certain phase and then become extinct, but I don't think they regress.
DWill:
We all seem to have an in-built idea that the human race is progressing spiritually or intellectually as we march on. That, I think, has nothing to do with Darwinian natural selection. Is progress even really happening? I feel that it is, but I can't prove it.
I think there is some evidence DWill, that we are progressing spiritually, because we don't now have public hangings/burnings where everyone goes along to watch. We do make attempts to reach some concensus of opinion on morals and ethics, especially now when it is easier to communicate with one another. Painfully slow progress, I grant you, but I think it is evidence of progress.
The only enlightenment that would matter is whether we are able to become different humans in order to pass on a planet worth having.
We are aware now of Climate Change, and of Global Warming, and our scientists are able to discuss its causes and remedies. We don't know whether the cause is CO2, in that our scientists don't seem to agree on whether that is the major cause. But we are all aware, and most people are doing their best to live a more environmentally sound lifestyle.
Maybe we will be too late and maybe we will become extinct, but then, we are all inevitably becoming 'personally' extinct, in that we all die, we live with that idea and the majority of us don't become uncaring and hedonistic. We do our best, for the most part, to live honourable and harmless (if not helpful) lives, why? Because it is the only thing worth doing. In spite of everything....suffering, pain, injustice, more and more awareness of how insignificant we are....yet we still have a sense of honour (for the most part) and we do our best, still. And that to me is evolution of the spirit. It is a painfully slow process......but I think that it is evidence of something great about the human race.
Sorry, end of sermon.