Lately, there has been a lot of talk about if life could exist elsewhere in the universe, and with that, there is a lot of talk about how we will react. While some people hope that we dont enslave the first race we see (thats what robots are going to be used for) others think that we are going to start some huge intergalactic war. My question is, are we really that violent, I mean we have no evidence that any other races that could (and statistically do) exist in our universe have not gone through wars and empires just like us. What do you guys think?
Poll: Why do we always say that humans are so violent?
- Thread starter Rocking Thunder
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Humans aren't any more violent than any other species, however human violence is different to animal violence in that it is out of balance with nature. Animals kill and it becomes part of a natural cycle of death, birth and renewal. Humans kill as part of a "machinery/industry of death" which exists outside of this cycle. I think that's the fundamental difference between human violence and any other. I don't think humans are more violent, it's just a different type of violence.
Just take a look at religious extremism, the middle east, school shootings, mass murderers, North Korea, Somalia (pirates) and "spin-offs" of these topics.
Then ask your question again.
Humans are violent by nature
Then ask your question again.
Humans are violent by nature
Because we are. We are the only animal that kills for reasons other than defence and satisfying hunger. Further more we are capable of being cruel just for sake of cruelty because it pleases us. Same time however we are part of the balance, if Nature wanted us different we would be or we would be extinct by now. Apparently a warmongering, cruel type of animal was needed on Earth.
I think violence is in our nature. The only difference is that some people act on them and some people don't. It's all got to do with given circumstances. I don't like to fight nor would I like to own a gun. I do play very violent games and watch violent movies. I would try to do my best to reason with everyone in a conflict, but I think I would be capable to punch someone sensless if they would try and take a swing at me or others (friends) that don't deserve it.
Some people just act violent to things unknown to them because they just can't 'master' the situation.
Some people just act violent to things unknown to them because they just can't 'master' the situation.
If we'd meet aliens, or aliens would meet us, I'd understand we'd put distance between ourselves since we wouldn't be able to understand each other (at least, that is the most likely scenario to me)
It's not like everyone lives in one country when everyone got so many different languages.
Anyways, even if we see nukes shortly, I will still doubt all humans labor a strong sense of hate, hostility and violence. But than again, it wouldn't matter at that point
It's not like everyone lives in one country when everyone got so many different languages.
Anyways, even if we see nukes shortly, I will still doubt all humans labor a strong sense of hate, hostility and violence. But than again, it wouldn't matter at that point
"humans are the only creatures to declare war on themselves"
have you seen meerkat manor? those guys never stop fighting each other
have you seen meerkat manor? those guys never stop fighting each other
I think violence is inate, anybody can be violent given the right circumstance and stimuli (e.g jelousy, drug use etc). I knew a guy who was very soft, not violent at all, but one day turned and really caused someone a great deal of damage. Anybody can be violent, but avoiding violence is where we get civilized, I think.
It's one of the basic facets of life; natural selection. Stronger individuals live, weaker ones die.
Only, in this modern world with no natural predators, greed has taken over the survival instinct. So, it's stronger ones get more money, weaker ones get less.
If we do meet some aliens we can only hope that they work on some other mechanism, or that they have transcended this one our brains run on.
Only, in this modern world with no natural predators, greed has taken over the survival instinct. So, it's stronger ones get more money, weaker ones get less.
If we do meet some aliens we can only hope that they work on some other mechanism, or that they have transcended this one our brains run on.
Monkeys too, IIRC. They've been noted as occasionally having "wars" between different "tribes".BonsaiK said:
I seem to recall Steven Hawking making the point that if any alien race were to find Earth, then based on trends in human history, they wouldn't be here for peace. They'd be an aggressive race, possibly nomadic, looking to grab land or slaves or whatever else. It'd be the driving force behind their expansion.Rocking Thunder said:
Now, this may well not apply toalien races (who would be, after all, alien) but it does make an interesting point about human history. Every time we go to new places we try to kill or subjugate the locals and make their home ours. Why should going into space be any different?
Take it back too the baser and we're pack hunters. Like bipedal wolves - Only less awesome, but with more brains and opposable thumbs...So we get territorial, protective and such, despite our civilized outer shells. Plus a good scrap is always a laugh
*Note* This made sense in my head.
*Note* This made sense in my head.
Also social insects, ants, termites etc. They don't have a soldier caste for picking flowers.The Cheezy One said:
Only Chimps have been obsertved to murder others of the species in a way reminiscent of humans, not so say other primates aren't violent, but they normally have more of a cause (usually mating rights).SonicWaffle said:
If I was alive during the first and second world wars I might have believed humanity was destined to totally obliterate itself soon after the discovery of nuclear weapons due to our violent nature, but it's been around seventy years and we're still growing strong. And while things like slavery, genocide, and subjugation are hardly things of the past, they certainly meet with a lot of resistance from the international community. It's handy to keep in mind that during every time period in history there have been people foretelling the imminent self destruction of humanity - all proven wrong. Heck, even beings of a lesser intelligence receive extra defense due to their intelligent nature (see dolphins and whales).
Sure violence has always been a part of the culture and is probably genetically written into our natures, but would we allow the megalomaniacs among us to commit genocide and subjugate an obviously intelligent alien species? Probably not.
Sure violence has always been a part of the culture and is probably genetically written into our natures, but would we allow the megalomaniacs among us to commit genocide and subjugate an obviously intelligent alien species? Probably not.
read the works of a norwegian writer named "Jens Bjørneboe". great writer, and seriously nails it down