Lorenz explains our innate aggression from an evolutionary perspective and suggests ways to channel it in a positive direction instead of denying it. We don’t have mechanisms to suppress aggression, so it’s important to understand and control it rationally.
Human beings have been called the creators of the universe because of their superior intellect and reason. As the morning sun slowly rose and began to illuminate the world, I went for a long walk. The park near my house was peaceful and quiet. The sunlight filtered through the trees, turning the leaves golden, and a gentle breeze embraced me. Even in this moment of tranquility, I was suddenly reminded of the tragedies that are happening in the world today. Mass killings are occurring all over the world, making me question whether humans are worthy of their place in the universe. How do we explain the fact that of all the animals on the planet, humans are the only ones who pose a threat to their own species?
Lorenz’s diagnosis and prescription is noteworthy in this regard. Unlike behaviorism like Skinner’s, which emphasizes the influence of the conditioned environment, he believed that the most important traits of animal behavior are innate. Seeing humans as animals that have evolved, he argued that aggression is one of the most basic instincts of animals, and therefore humans have an innate urge to act aggressively toward their own species. Over the course of evolution, Lorenz explains, the most unified form of aggression favored survival, which is why humans have developed a fascination with belligerence.
Lorenz’s observations show that animals with deadly claws or teeth rarely kill members of their own species. This is because heavily armed animals needed inhibitory mechanisms to control attacks on their own species for their own survival, Lorenz explains, and this was reflected in the evolutionary process. In contrast, less physically powerful animals, including humans, had no evolutionary need for inhibitory mechanisms because it would be very difficult for them to kill their own species using only their own strength. However, with the development of technology, humans became capable of killing, and the aggression inherent in humans who lack inhibitory mechanisms became capable of killing their own species.
So, can’t we just eliminate the aggression inherent in humans? Lorenz is skeptical about this. First of all, the aggressive instinct in humans is one of the important factors that have made us what we are today, both positively and negatively, so we don’t know how removing it will affect us, and even if we suppress it as much as possible, the aggressive instinct will still find an outlet. It would seem that there is no hope for humanity. However, through this discussion, we can gain a deeper understanding of human nature, which can be an important basis for solving problems of social conflict and violence.
Lorenz’s arguments also have important implications for our social structure and educational system. If we can’t deny the instinct for aggression, we need to find ways to channel it in a positive and creative direction. This requires educating children at home and in school to develop emotional regulation, consideration for others, and a sense of cooperation. This education is not just about imparting knowledge, but will help children grow up to feel socially responsible and play their part as part of a community.
Nevertheless, Lorenz is optimistic about the future of humanity. He believes that reason cannot eliminate human aggression per se, but that it can guide our aggressive instincts in a desirable direction. The first way to do this is through self-awareness: the more we understand the nature of human aggression, the more we can take rational steps to redirect it. Next, he emphasizes the need to change the outlet of innate aggression to something more desirable. This means providing opportunities to fulfill belligerent fervor by allowing competition that doesn’t inspire hatred.
In addition, he says, efforts should be made to foster friendships with individuals and other groups that might otherwise be targets of aggression, and to help young people find true causes that are worthy of their time and energy. With these prescriptions, Lorenz offers hope that the horrific tragedies of human aggression can be prevented.
Furthermore, the challenges we face in the modern world remind us that Lorenz’s theory is still valid. In the information age, human aggression is also manifesting itself in cyberspace, giving rise to new forms of social conflict. Therefore, new educational programs and social institutions based on Lorenz’s approach are needed. This will allow us to build a more peaceful and harmonious society.
Lorenz’s views remind us that we can dream of a better future through our understanding of human nature. Even if we can’t completely eliminate human instinctive aggression, it’s still a valid challenge to find ways to channel it in a positive direction. Through our reason and wisdom, we have the potential to control ourselves and create a better society.
