Do you think we are genetically inclined to go to war?

Question

More and more I get the feeling that the strong, (groups or individuals) will do anything to advance their cause, beliefs, and their own blood line. Is this something that’s been with us forever? Do we invent a reason to fight because we can’t over come our own instincts? In nature most dominant males will kill the young of any other males to ensure his genetics are passed on. Is it all just survival of the fittest?

Answer 1

No

Answer 2

I think humans may have genetic tendencies towards competition. It depends on where you think that instincts come from. Does the drive to survive come prewritten in our genes? Is it something we learn in the early days of life?

War is certainly about survival of the fittest, but humans seem to take the cake when it comes to taking it to the extreme. We are inherently egotistical, and humans tend to believe that they themselves and the people like them are better than others. For this reason, they advance their causes, beliefs, ect. I think there is some sort of feeling that if we can eradicate everyone who doesn't think like us, there will be perfection in our lives.

Humans want to be dominant. Not everyone can be dominant, and there is competition. Different forms of competition can lead to war.

Humans want to be dominant to survive. If you are not dominant, the "other side" could easily wipe you out.

Now, the question really is: whether the survival of the fittest, the wish to pass on your own hearty genes, is genetic in itself. I vote yes, because there is nothing very specific that a most young children see in order to learn competition at an early stage of life. The fact that all animals accross the board have this desire to pass on their healthy genes makes me think that it is a genetic trait to want to live and procreate.

In answer to your question: Yes. We are, in this sense, more genetically inclined to go to compete, which can in certain cases escalate to war. However, we have minds which can choose which battles to pick. If competition seems to border on war, our minds can find ways to back out of the conflict. So, we are not enslaved by our genes and forced to go to war. We're just more likely to pick a fight that could end up getting nasty.

Answer 3

Some people just have a Ksatria (warrior) nature. They should be fighting in wars and no one else. Especially not women (that is bogus) There are a few sincere men who want to protect the people from terrorists and terrible people, and they should be police men and warriors no one else. Everyone has a natural propensity and they should work according to that (Bhagavad Gita as it is By Bhaktivedanta Prabhupada) tells about the natural classes of men (not the man made cast system of India today) If we work according to this we will be happy and make progress in life. If you are interested more on this topic go to harekrishnatemple.c for all details.

Answer 4

We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal.
And we suffered the most casualties on record to claim our independence of the crown.

Of course, you have the inquisition thing where the church claimed the right to slaughter innocents upon their refusal to convert to Christianity. Just like Iraq. Over the centuries religion has sparked more war than convictions.

Nah, we invent reasons to sue not go to war. It doesn't take an act of congress and anyone will do it for money, much more persuasive than bullets.

You listen to your voices, I hear the charge of the Goddess. An' it harm none, do what ye will!

Answer 5

War is not survival of the fitest, unless you are speaking of Social Darwinism. Wanting to go to war, advance your cause or belief is more nuture than nature. Basically you are either raised or live in an environment that encourages you to do so either directly or indirectly by instilling values in you that would cause you to do so. Wanting to go to war is usually caused by a number of social reasons, though if you REALLY wanted to make an argument for genetics you could say that agression and large physical stature would make you more physiologically inclined to go to war. That said, most males who are genetically inclined to agression are more likely to end up in jail than the army.

Answer 6

In a sense I think that it is genetics and survival of the fittest played out as altruistic behavior. This behavior is exhibited in animals, it is the reason that animals will sacrifice themselves for the group or mothers for their young. I think people today fight for many reasons, mainly power and money, but also fight for the survival of their land, views, religion and their people.

Answer 7

I think we are all slightly tribal but I don't think it's enough to cause a war. War is generally started over land, money, big business etc.