The late Jack Williamson had a phrase also, "To serve and obey, and guard men from harm." As a motto, it sounded flawless, but the humanoid robots chose to implement it with particular emphasis on the last part, "... to guard men from harm."
Accordingly, they prevented people from doing anything that might be potentially harmful. No smoking or drinking, no exciting sports activities, no dangerous work environments ... It has a familiar ring, doesn't it?
It culminated in his story, "With Folded Hands", an evocative title if ever there was one.
Your friend K can explain better than I, but there are many groups and subgroups who believe that man's course, his destiny, is to follow in the footsteps of God, to gradually become more godlike. This is more a spiritual growth than a physical, evolutionary one.
Michael Shaara's description of Man as "Killer Angels" aptly captures the dilemma. We are of two natures; one bestial, and one angelic. These two attributes are constantly at war within us.
Joel Osteen's lecture today mentioned an (American) Indian legend, of an old Chief telling his son that his nature was a battle between two wolves, one of treachery and menace, and the other of nobility and trustworthiness.
"Which wolf will win the battle, Father?" he was asked.
"The one you feed." was his answer.
K. posts all kinds of things that sound *really* deep. Although I have excellent reading comprehension, there are some things I simply can't grasp amid the turmoil of my daily condition.
In my Retirement Years, I will cultivate long hair and read the Greek Fathers :-).