The theory suggests that intelligence and consciousness have evolved to states of increasing complexity at a non-linear rate approximating an exponential curve, and will continue to do so as long as the universe is in a state of expansion. There is a great deal of evidence, much of which is scientifically based, to support this conclusion. This continuing evolution will occur irrespective of the process of natural selection, which will continue to act only as an editor. This in turn will result in a continuously accelerated ability to store, process and understand new information, thus allowing an increasingly more accurate understanding of universal reality. This process can be documented to a certain extent by evaluating humankind's recorded history. There can be no doubt that our present perception of reality is far better than it ever has been before, and given time will undoubtedly improve non-linearly (and probably exponentially) in the future. This also makes feasible a project such as a "Quest in Search of the Theory of Everything."

It is my belief that higher states of consciousness can result in the generation of higher-order concepts and a more nearly true perception of reality. It is also my belief that whatever counterproductive, aggressive behavior is displayed by any single individual, it is based at least in part upon decisions or choices made on the basis of imperfect knowledge and understanding of reality. Those acts which society judges as aggressive are performed by humans who are acting on this imperfect understanding. Maslow has stated, "Aggression is a reaction to the frustration of, or the inability to satisfy, basic psychological needs. It is a reaction rather than an instinct. The healthy human being who has learned to understand himself and other people will not be violent, aggressive, or destructive, although he is perfectly capable of self-defense.".¹⁴

This would therefore lead to the conclusion that those who have experienced higher states of consciousness, particularly a peak experience, will find themselves modifying their behavior to more strongly reflect a desire to do those things that will positively benefit society. A self-actualizing person has integrated goals that benefit oneself as well as the society within which one lives. As humankind continues to evolve, there will be an increasingly larger proportion of society that will be oriented in the direction of positively directed behavior, and this will benefit the individual as well as all of society. There can be no doubt that for many individuals, the greater the amount of knowledge compiled, the greater the desire to acquire more. It would also appear that the more knowledge gained, the greater one's ability to comprehend and accumulate more.

It is these combined processes of increasing intelligence, increasing consciousness and knowledge accumulation that will eventually give humankind its best hope of survival. If this were not occurring we would have no chance. Our increasing ability to destroy ourselves would eventually overcome our facility to prevent it. Hopefully the nature of humankind is continuously evolving swiftly enough to outpace our ability to self-destruct.

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