Thank you for offering a more full explanation, George. I like your emphasis on the possibility that what is sometimes called genetic determinism can be supervened.
But it can't be overcome by not facing the problem squarely. As far as we know, for millennia humans lived in small groups in settings often involving combat. Those who were better at combat tended to survive. Hence, through evolution, the obvious human tendency toward aggressive violence which dominates our culture and our history (not just the West -- almost all of it). To deal with the problem we must recognize and acknowledge the depth of the problem.
Combat depends on cooperation and collaboration. Can you imagine each soldier doing whatever the fuck they wanted in a battle? Any tribe that did such a thing were likely the first to disappear. Soldiers who cooperated and organized (the Roman Legion anyone?) survived and were the most effective for centuries on end. Still true today.
Certainly. One of the paradoxes of warfare. Indeed, the most noble and unselfish emotions of the people are drafted into the service of death and destruction.
Thank you for offering a more full explanation, George. I like your emphasis on the possibility that what is sometimes called genetic determinism can be supervened.
But it can't be overcome by not facing the problem squarely. As far as we know, for millennia humans lived in small groups in settings often involving combat. Those who were better at combat tended to survive. Hence, through evolution, the obvious human tendency toward aggressive violence which dominates our culture and our history (not just the West -- almost all of it). To deal with the problem we must recognize and acknowledge the depth of the problem.
Combat depends on cooperation and collaboration. Can you imagine each soldier doing whatever the fuck they wanted in a battle? Any tribe that did such a thing were likely the first to disappear. Soldiers who cooperated and organized (the Roman Legion anyone?) survived and were the most effective for centuries on end. Still true today.
Certainly. One of the paradoxes of warfare. Indeed, the most noble and unselfish emotions of the people are drafted into the service of death and destruction.
That's the key isn't it.