depend on perspective, and are all inclusive when perhaps some other avenues are present.
It seems this post is another step down the Maximum Power Principle path, (MPP) that you posted last week. I think the MPP has validity when discussing life forms in general, but not inclusive of all situations or capabilities for humans.
If we are talking a petri dish and cellular life the theory is spot on, and I think it holds true for most life forms. I think that to an extent it could explain early human behavior as much as for other animals, but I can't agree it has entered our instinctual or genetic code as inclusive as you infer, as to be a sole motivation of our actions.
In following our evolution humans reached a state of awareness and intelligence no other known terrestrial life form has accomplished to date. We learned to use tools, make materials from industrial processes, practice agriculture, manipulate our environment, and yes develop energy for our use.
However we developed in other ways as well, and beyond that of other species. We developed free choice that separated us from sole instinctual behavior. We could measure, analyze, form concept of consequence, and then act on decisions using a different basis than innate instincts.
-- The "purpose" of life, as far as the universe is concerned, is to allow entropy to be maximized faster than it can be by non-living systems. And intelligent life maximizes entropy as fast as humanly possible. It gives me pause when I read this, because intelligent life has a free choice and measured response to consequence. We can maximize our use of energy yes, but equally we can calculate the effect. And if we continue to maximize energy at the cost of a liveable environment, (consequence), and manufacture our own extinction, then I think we need to define, 'intelligent life'.
Maximizing entropy as fast as possible given the constraints is what the universe is all about. I can agree with this in the petri dish, and in all species except the most evolved homo sapiens. For the universe entropy works in explaining chemistry, biology, physics, but not multidimensional intelligent life. Intelligent life has the tools to travel beyond instinctual drive.
Perhaps this is 'humanist', but I feel it is more. It is not confined to humans, it is a concept liberated by intelligence.
= new reply since forum marked as read