Violence is Life's Nature

Conflict, war, fighting, human strife. Can’t humanity just get along and live in harmony? Is there no end to war and suffering? Will we ever achieve world peace?

The answer my friends is no, no and NO. Violence, in the purest sense of the word is natural. Life (I mean everything alive) is programmed to seek solutions to its needs. This ability is better known as the SURVIVAL INSTINCT. Living things, regardless of intelligence, seek food, shelter, territory, dominance etc, to keep living. This is hardwired to all creatures the ever evolved, from the smallest speck of bacteria to the tallest of trees. And if the need that a creature well, needs is limited, he is compelled to take aggressive actions to have it for himself.

Grade School Science: there are four types of relationships in nature:

1. Mutualism – one benefits as much as the other.

2. Commensalism – one benefits while the other is not bothered.

3. Parasitism – one benefits while the other is bugged.

4. Competition – Creatures slug it out to survive.

Now the fourth can be down right violent. Dogs kill for a tasty slab of bone. Walrus bulls shed blood and blubber for control over the harem. Hyena packs go to war for hunting territory.

Are we so different? Are we, the most intelligent creatures alive exemptions to the rule? What do you think?

Isn’t the Korean War simply the struggle between two groups over territory? Isn’t the Cold War the same as two hostile lion prides? Isn’t the Nazi occupation of Europe the same as termites expanding their hill?

Minus the technology, war and conflict is simply another form of competition in nature. Although the level of intelligence that is unique to us enables us to find non-violent solutions, if all else fails, we will pick up guns and shoot the other bastards.

To achieve peace (in a personal level at least), we should accept and live with the fact that it is as fragile as silence. We should anticipate violence rather than despise it. Only then will we be able to cherish the few moments of serenity that we stumble upon.

Si vis pacem, para bellum

"If you wish for peace, prepare for war"