Author: Dr. David Yourtee

ISBN: 9780978114510

To say that the 217 page The Final Human doesn’t read like a “quickie” book is huge understatement. However, I have to confess that I was forewarned when its author Dr. David Yourtee stated in his email to me requesting a review: “Up front this will not be an easy read, but in the end from those who have read it, a rewarding journey.”  Although at times I found the read very baffling and trying with its excessive philosophical jargon, nevertheless I will grant that it was thought provoking, demonstrating how a good polemicist can challenge and enlighten readers.

Through the voices of a remarkable mixed raced African woman, Seela and a Fulbright Scholar, Daniel, Yourtee covers a lot of ground in what amounts to a deep philosophical treatise pertaining to such abstract yet important topics as what are we, what is our essence, how have we come about, are we changing and what is that change likely to be, where should humanity be going and how will it get there?

Seela is painted as an extra-ordinary visionary who is referred to as a “Homo Vistavien’ because she fully recognizes the fundamental laws of life and knows where sapiens can and must go. Furthermore, she understands and sees what sapiens must comprehend or as she believes it is not disbelief that is dangerous to our world but rather the unfounded belief. It is this enlightenment and path that Seela shares with Daniel by way of a seven day dialogue that Dr.Yourtee divides into seven chapters each comprising a sub-theme.

These sub-themes examine such complex issues as the cosmos, the meaning of reality and life, our unique role in our universe, the failure to define specie in terms of mind other than the usual brain size, defining ourselves as “us” and “them” wherein these distinctions don’t really exist, the genetic and social development of Homo sapiens, and the non-justification of killing. These are but a sampling of the powerful and gripping topics touched upon that aid us in better understanding our place in the Cosmos and our potential to save mankind from destruction.

Considerable reflection is given to the assertion that Homo-sapiens have been genetically maturing for some time and changing for a much more important role than only its own pleasure. As noted, “These new homids are extraordinarily creative. They show promise in mastering the secrets of the Cosmos and advancing life for all.”  Nonetheless, if sapiens are to survive and to advance, the good inside of them must prevail. After all, as Seela points out, the main element of distinction between Homo-sapiens and lower species is their ability to control behavior, to attenuate violence in subtle ways. It is time we learn from history and stop the practice of genocide on the millions.

According to this insightful visionary, unless we grasp the central points of her discussion, we will not be able to anticipate, as she does, an awesomely intelligent final human that will achieve an all loving state. We are told that we must move away from superstitions as well as our tunnel vision that is inflexible and sometimes irrational. Furthermore, our potential can only be realized if we permit all peoples in all generations the freedom to master their own minds. No doubt, as Seela succinctly asserts: “Change Dares this freedom!”

It is imperative that we grasp the reality of ourselves in the Cosmos. We forget, as Daniel states, “we are a species with vested interest in all, in the total of humanity….We go around blinded by the flash of things and false promises and ignore our real purpose.”  And as Seela reminds Daniel, it is critical that we improve our ways in order to thwart the annihilation of humans and future life. This improvement must be given a chance to extend and passed onto future generations to build upon. We need to recognize and we must reach out to Vistavien like people in our lives, such as the Gandhi’s who have appeared and no doubt new ones will appear- protect them and make sure they are not destroyed.

The book ends when Daniel discovers in his top desk drawer a necklace and while turning it over he noticed that an edge between plates realizing that somehow they would slide apart. Upon sliding them apart he was rewarded with a parchment containing “The Axioms of Existence.” As he states, he was overwhelmed by the last striking message from his teacher: “he knew it couldn’t be otherwise-that she intended to give him this core axiology through the necklace, the last day.”

It should be pointed out that the narrative in The Final Human is based on the experience of a Fulbright Scholar during the time of a revolution in Africa. According to Dr. Yourtee, whom I interviewed, his motivation to write the book was in part due to the fact “that we are forgetting past mortal mistakes, we repeat them again and again. Compassion is disappearing and this is taking away our children, the promise of the future. Collectively, we watch them starve to death, untried lives -undiscovered precious minds die from incredible cruelty.”

Although Dr.Yourtee’s message is commendable and a worthy subject for discussion, the problem is in its presentation where readers are overcome with an avalanche of philosophical discourse. And here is where a good editor is worth his or her weight in gold showing the way to effectively connect to the reader.

On the other hand, I have to admit that The Final Human does succeed in leaving us with some great ideas and impressions that challenge and provoke us to thought.

The above review was contributed by: NORM GOLDMAN:  Retired Title Attorney: Editor & Publisher of Bookpleasures. Here are  Norm Goldman's Reviews       

To read Norm's Interview With Dr. Yourtee, CLICK HERE