War and the Pursuit of Happiness?

Question

Is war a pre-requisite for human survival, does it serve an evolutionary purpose?

Answer 1

OK, lets break down your question. The first is, 'is war a pre-requisite for human survival?' By definition pre-requisite refers to a requirement before something else is possible. War refers to conflict. So lets rephrase, ' is conflict required before human survival?

The second part is, 'does it serve an evolutionary purpose?' Evolution is sometime referred to gradual change for successive complex form.

So then we ask the question does conflict serve as a means to be successive complex form? Well now we get to the meat of what the question is really asking. And now you need to ask yourself, how do you define successive complex form? I would think successive complex refers to intelligence.

I believe that war or conflict does not serve as a means to preserve life which I believe is indeed the purpose of intelligence. It does the opposite, it destroys life.

Answer 2

I would like to answer this from the perspective of an organic evolution student.

Evolution isnt about "fitter" or not. There are entire subfields of the science that have zero new species develop that are still quite evolution.

In the purest sense the science of evolution is interested in the change of allele frequencies over time.

So if your question is "Can war change allele frequencies" then then answer is very much yes. Population death rates affect allele frequencies and distributions within the overall population.

Total global annhilation will change the allele frequency distribution, and therefore it would be a phenomena subject to the science of organic evolution. Evolution doesnt necessarily mean "advancement".

Now for a more philosophical answer:
History is replete with examples of mans inhumanity to man. It is nothing new. War is a historic extension of that.
Organized warfare is described in stone-age pictograms in Australia. It is the oldest piece of human history.

I see the nature that makes warfare to be persistent, and dominant for all of recorded history. That nature isnt changing. What is changing isnt the nature of man, but the tools available to man. We have nuclear weapons instead of sticks, or bows, or poisons. I think the inhumanity to man is constant, but the capacity to act on it is growing over time.

Answer 3

Human survival ONLY if not killed in war, by subsequent famine or disease.

Evolutionary purpose that those most fit survive the struggle?
When throwing rocks or running away- yes! Now a days- no.

Although I would argue that the bell curve effect(resource/growth) may apply. Why do people call me depressing?

If not dead, AND aware of the above than the pursuit of happiness may apply... good luck and good night.

Answer 4

Despite being a population control, the idea of war and violence is more of a personality issue. Also, how people feel about politics can create heated debate.

Answer 5

Absolutely! I am impressed how fast you figured that out.