Poll: Intelligence, Violence, and Human Nature

[HatchetDown]

A lot of people like to use the term natural. The problem I see when people use it is that it's never looked at as a philosophical term. People associate natural with things that are out of doors or not civilized like trees or anything that walks without shoes. Yes that includes Kenyans. It comes up in arguments about breeding, animal rights, pollution, and stem cell research. In my opinion there is no such thing as unnatural. Natural is anything that acts and reacts within the laws of physics.

So is it natural for people to act like Neanderthals? Is violence something we aren't supposed to engage in since we are all civil? Does it hinder our progress as a species? I think that violence is absolutely necessary. Violence has both destroyed and liberated. Hiroshima and Nagasaki were the metaphorical kick in the nuts that made Japan heave over and say "time-out". One can say that they aren't violent and therefore not animals but they are ignorant. Violence may be physical but it's still fueled by aggression which we all exhibit constantly. Be it the spirit of competition or contempt for another view or opinion. They are the shadows of our primal selves caged in the basement. Every once in a while though, that Gorilla needs to be released in one form or another.

 

[flaming_squirrel]

Tough question really, it's not necessary as far as I can tell, but unavoidable.

 

[AkJay]

I can safely say that, yes , violence is necessary for most things.

 

[Armored Prayer]

I voted "My dick is bigger than your dick"

And I think some aggression is necessary.

 

[Jedoro]

While violence may not be, aggression is still pretty necessary. Anything organic is not stagnant; it's either falling apart or getting better. Aggression drives the will to make things better because it promotes competition. When you quit wanting to compete against anything, stuff starts falling apart.

Aggression can be vented in many ways, and only idiots jump to violence. Me, I jump to pixelated violence because I don't need to actually go outside and gun down pedestrians. That, and I enjoy living.

 

[Loop Stricken]

I'm intelligent.
I could be exceedingly violent. The capacity is certainly there.

... what was the question?

 

[Swaki]

of cause its necessary, once in awhile i have to do some sort of primal act to feel human, whether it being fighting or sex, also i would recommend splitting your post up in two paragraphs to make it easier on the eye.

 

[Timotei]

There are just some times where a good neck-wringing is necessary. And that's coming from me, a pacifist.

 

[Ekonk]

It is not necessary. It is however, unavoidable. People are violent by nature. That's because the violent always prevailed over the peaceful, so the violent got to reproduce etc etc. It's evolution, really.

 

[ModsDeleteThisAccountPlease]

Should not have added that third option. It detracts from the validity of the poll. Unless, of coarse, you were going to add the results to the first option. Aggression is necessary. It's the minds natural method of reaction to an force attempting dominance over its domain.

 

[ribonuge]

As long as you don't infringe upon another's personal freedom, in my books, you can do what you want. Animal cruelty aswell. That's just shit.

In my opinion, I think that people are intelligent enough to rise above violent tendencies. They just don't use their brains..

Also I don't believe that people are not violent by nature, it is merely a result of nurture and enviroment when growing up.

 

[HatchetDown]

It detracts from the validity of the poll.

Validity? This is The Escapist you silly person, not Congress.

 

[Jark212]

Violence is sometimes necessary, not everyone can be reasoned with...

 

[Xhu]

Aggression is necessary to counter aggression. Violence is an extension of this. Pacify all humans, including the pacifiers, and we'll see.

 

[MagnetoHydroDynamics]

I would say that Violence is ok. Not great, not good, not bad. Sometimes fun. It's adequate, as in human-nature-adequate.

Sex is better.

 

[ModsDeleteThisAccountPlease]

It detracts from the validity of the poll.

Validity? This is The Escapist you silly person, not Congress.

"Be coherent and articulate every where you go, lest you wish to be seen a fool."-Made up on the spot by Halaxis

 

[HatchetDown]

It detracts from the validity of the poll.

Validity? This is The Escapist you silly person, not Congress.

"Be coherent and articulate every where you go, lest you wish to be seen a fool."-Made up on the spot by Halaxis

Ah Christ I'm on hell of a mumbler too

 

[Phyroxis]

I don't think violence is necessary. I think plenty of people believe it is necessary, but I don't think it truly is needed to for a successful and productive society. It can be the easiest way to get what you want, but in the long run it just breeds more pain amongst those who receive it.

What is more effective, long term, is reason. When you can work with someone to mutual benefit, you create a relationship that can be more beneficial in the future. When you overpower someone with violence, they are much less likely to want to assist you ever again and thus you lose future opportunity through mutual benefit.


Its simple, violence is very successful in the short term but very damaging in the long term. Cooperation for mutual benefit is moderately successful in the short term but not damaging at all in the long term, and can lead to sustained success.

 

[Iron Mal]

There will always be a need for violence and aggression because, sadly, not everyone can be reasoned with (the ideal of being able to solve our problems with words relies on a level of civility that does not exist in most people).

 

[ModsDeleteThisAccountPlease]

It detracts from the validity of the poll.

Validity? This is The Escapist you silly person, not Congress.

"Be coherent and articulate every where you go, lest you wish to be seen a fool."-Made up on the spot by Halaxis

Ah Christ I'm on hell of a mumbler too

Same here. Mad Mumbler is my nick name. i can control it most of the time.