[bojan]

The point I am trying to make is, with intelligence and civilisation, the Raison d'etre acquires a new dimension.. totally different "qualities" and "properties" are now important for species and/or individuals to survive.
For example, when we were in caves, we had to be both smart and strong to avoid being eaten by cave bear - our neighbour and wannabe tenant..
Today, we have to be only smart (to outsmart people like those who are running GOLDMAN Sachs and alike, for example) to survive..
I guess, the similar principles may be applicable to all sentient organisms living in civilised societies.

And, what may be important in the future?
With robots slaving for us (like in Asimov's novels.. rebellions etc would not be tolerated, so we have to design them not too smart), art, science and all those useless activities will replace "real" work .

Quite possibly, future humans will have very different goals.. and quite possibly, co-existence with alien races could be viable, without interference..