As I write about the different conflicts around the world I am always getting comments about the nature of the people and of humans in specific…..some think that it is an inevitability that human are driven to violence and killing….
Among scientists there has been a long debate about whether human violence toward other humans is inherent, cultural or a mix of both. The question is: Are we natural-born killers?
A new study, published in the journal Nature and entitled “The Phylogenetic Roots of Human Lethal Violence,” argues two points: (1) along with many other mammals and particularly primates, human lethal violence is innate because it is part of a long “evolutionary history”; and (2) for humans, however, it is also a behavior that is responsive to our cultural environment. So, over time, “culture modulates our bloodthirsty tendencies.”
What is particularly original about this study is that it places human violence against the backdrop of general mammalian and primate lethal behavior. The researchers found that there is a correlation between the level of intra-group violence of those species that lie close to each other on the evolutionary tree.
Source: Are Humans Natural-Born Killers? – Consortiumnews
So any thoughts along this lines?
Reblogged this on The Militant Negro™.
As always I appreciate your help…have a good day….chuq
Mr Midnight, Sir Winston and myself from the blog “Gilmours Nice Place” are not so sure about the human race being natural, born killers but we do feel that the human race does have a terrible habit of destroying everything.
Since the dawn of human civilization, so-called “peace” has never existed. The human race track-record is pretty miserable as regards peace. Perhaps that is the way things are sadly, supposed to be but we do believe “living in peace” can be achieved when the last human-being has found true, genuine peace in their hearts.
Mr Midnight cheekily adds that that day is a long way off at present.
Meow from Mr Midnight, purr purr from Sir Winston and best regards from myself. 🙂
THanx for the visit and the comment….I posted this because there are several readers that have stated that humans are natural killers it is their nature….I read this article and thought that these readers might appreciate it.
Please do not be a stranger…we cover many issues here….chuq
I think it might just be as simplistic as one’s own ability to manage adrenaline. At the time of Fight or Flight, for instance, science tells us we have two choices. But, this can not be accurate because there is also a third state: Do Neither
So, it all depends on our reaction (consciously or unconsciously) to the release of stress (for lack of a better term) that will ultimately determine the outcome of our actions.
This may be one of those questions that needs refinement in terms of meaning. If we look at the big picture, any life form that requires consumption of other forms of life to survive will kill; that is a natural state; As humans, with enough power of imagination to affect physical reality by its use, we give ourselves a choice as to whether or not we MUST kill, or can find alternatives, that are, if nothing else, more justifiable in a moral sense….
After that, anything one says can be argued, for it all depends on human nature. As noted elsewhere, our history is pretty conclusive about how well we kill, and the frequency of our choice to do so…. What that says about us is a personal judgment, based on one’s particular set of beliefs…
It all comes down to our own choices, as usual.
gigoid, the dubious
I thought you might like this post….chuq