Musings

 MUSINGS

Perhaps it is in humanity's "fight or flight" DNA. Our species is no different than any other. It is how we have survived through the centuries, nay millennium upon millennium. History, not just biology, points to it. That being the case, Republican v Democrat, conservative v liberal,  fascist v parliamentary-rule, communism v capitalism, etc define only political ideals and  affiliation, not the reason for humanity's seemingly irrational and destructive behaviour. 

To what extent is it a learned behaviour? We may learn to hate, to anger, to fight, to kill, but ultimately only those with a brain to override that emotion can correct the primitive urge. Love, also an emotion -- not the romantic kind of love, but altruistic love -- can be learned too. One, however,  must have the capacity to want to learn; and that assumes one will take the time  to rationalise and ultimately to realise  love is among the best of our emotions, which is also in our DNA as human beings. Unfortunately, for most, that takes an evolutionary leap.

A neuro-scientist might take it a step further and say our brain chemistry is just as critical in our behaviour -- the choices we make in lifestyle and politics. That is not necessarily so; psychiatrists and governments have tried to change people's behaviour, i.e. with brainwashing, drugs, lobotomies, and not always exactly to their desired goal. Is gene replacement therapy the next step? The result would probably be just as inconclusive. It sounds like science fiction or pseudoscience, even a page from the conspiracy theorists. 

Whatever may be the cause of our seemingly irrational acts, i.e. political posturing, destroying our planet and killing one another, is a tug-of-war that will most certainly continue to be an eternal struggle in the survival of who is the strongest, the smartest, the richest. It is ironically what drives us, societies and governments, without which we might be too passive and ineffectual in perpetuating our species.

That we might learn not to be calculative and cunning in the practice of deceiving one another could be a step in the right direction for the preservation of our species; and moreover, that we might learn not to deceive ourselves to the point that we believe it is the only alternative in life. Only 'IF' we could make a genuine and concerted effort to work towards learning how to love one another, might we then  ensure a better world for us all.

© Breyel, Timm.. "Musings". All rights reserved.