... the only intelligent animal species on Earth and currently numbering some 6 billion. The human species, the most sophisticated of life forms, capable of thinking, planning and reflecting, represents the pinnacle of the emergence and development of carbon-based life forms known in the universe.
The current human species has emerged after a battle for survival which anthropologists estimate has been on-going for millions of years … Early human life was a tough and relentless battle for survival based on ‘kill or be killed’ – the animal survival instinct in operation at its most basic and primitive level – ‘what can I eat … what can eat me?’
The physical evidence of early tool use, language and settlement represents the first sign of the emergence of intelligence, a faculty totally unique to the human animal species.

© OECD Brainmaps

Inner Structure of the Human Brain

Human beings are remarkable among the animal species in that we have a large ‘modern’ brain or neo-cortex, capable of thinking, planning and reflecting, that envelops the primitive ‘lizard’ brain, the source of our animal survival instincts …

– the ability to think, plan, reflect and communicate, has resulted in the astounding development of the human species, from a grim and deadly fight for the survival of the species, to one of increasing …

… safety, comfort, leisure and pleasure.

This last century, in particular, has seen astounding advances made in agriculture, manufacturing, health, life expectancy, wealth, transport, information processing, instant and world-wide communications, social services and education. An increasing proportion of the human population is enjoying comfort, safety, leisure and pleasure the likes of which has never, ever, existed before.
Yet, despite the amazing technological advancements and organizational development of the human species on this planet, the Human Condition is still epitomized by two major factors … The next significant and timely challenge facing the human species is to bring an end to human violence and suffering. As with every discovery that has advanced the human species, this necessitates pioneering individuals to prove that it is possible to become actually free of the Human Condition of malice and sorrow – to become actually …
click here to continue

Text, Design & Images ©The Actual Freedom Trust: 1997-
. All Rights Reserved.

Disclaimer and Use Restrictions and Guarantee of Authenticity Image Credits

# Introducing Actual Freedom

## The universe, life and what it is to be a human being