Sometimes I find it strange that humanity actually abides by many laws, gave women the right to vote, removed slavery from much of the world, etc. Why aren't we even more hostile and violent? What caused all this civilization to take place? Was it just because of selfishness and our fear of chaos?
2007-10-09 11:34:08 · 19 answers · asked by KatGuy 7 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
The cycle of chaos and order will always repeat. People question why anarchy shouldn't be allowed to prevail, and it's because eventually someone gets tired of disorder and wants to feel safe. That is usually the person that establishes rule. It happens all the time. Without order we would eventually diminish. It is guaranteed. Even the militants that take over governments in South America or some Europeon countries, as brutal as they are, re-establish rule (although, they become the rulers). Without rule there is no money-flow, and no life. I guess you could say that a lust for money is part of it.
...but it also goes to show that not all humans default towards destruction. :-)
2007-10-09 11:44:45 · answer #1 · answered by perfectlybaked 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Scouse: at WORST it is enlightened self-interest? How is this a bad thing especially if it works. But nevertheless, it is not "humanity" that is cruel, it is individual humans, sometimes acting together, like the KKK or the Mahdi Army, or like slave owners. They get away with it only until more civilized men find a way to stop them. It was the Constitution that allowed for the possibility of our Civil War because the States under it cannot cecede. The Magna Charta gave middle-age Brits more freedoms, but it was for the purpose of protecting the Barons from the whim of the king, barons who in turn protected those under his rule from those whims which were actually directed at the people--through the rule of the Baron. Men are inherently civilized because it is physically safer and psychologically less stressful, but they do not always know how to prevent the uncivilized acts of others.
2007-10-09 19:00:28 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's because most people don't have minds of their own-per say, and when someone says something that sounds right, they abide by it, not knowing why. So people know not to kill, steal, or lie but when it comes down to it, they have a hard time controlling their natural instincts, without any rationale behind the wise words.... I think that they try to stay close to what is considered normal, or right, while following their instincts. People are afraid of sticking out in a crowd, especially when they're followers.
2007-10-09 18:42:25 · answer #3 · answered by ktp 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I can't believe it's as cruel as it is. I mean, I realize it could be worse, but is that really saying much? People suck. They really do. Why can't we all just get along???
I know, I'm a hippie. But seriously, I don't see why people have to create so many problems. Did you ever imagine what the world would be like without people? I'd say a hell of a lot better than it is now.
Sorry, I don't think I really answered your question...I'm too much of a hippie to answer it =)
2007-10-09 18:39:54 · answer #4 · answered by Bee 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's human nature to love and be loved. The negative aspects of humanity are a result of our collective fears... the fear we won't aren't safe, that we are unlovable, that we are alone, etc. etc. It's in the best interest of humans on a survival level to get along and co-create.
2007-10-09 18:39:21 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
because in the end we are social beings, we can't live alone, therefore we take care of our own. Aristotle is quite clear on this: the essence of man is being a rational animal and a social animal (it always amazes me how Aristotle is valid still nowadays). The public space is the political* space, where we are ourselves.
* as in Hanna Arendt's meaning of the word: a space which opens up to the other and the other is what you are
2007-10-09 18:44:06 · answer #6 · answered by remy 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A great deal has to do with some of the DNA we share with our simian cousins. We are genetically predisposed to behavior that benefits the group. We have built upon that predisposition by means of observation and memory.
2007-10-09 18:37:35 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is really cruel and horrible.Watch the news at night of children getting killed and dumped and family;s getting splattered for money and people are prisoners in some home till they can pay thousands of dollars to get released; but really just get killed.There;s good and evil; in all; but there is a lot of evil and it;s all around us; believe me.
2007-10-09 18:41:39 · answer #8 · answered by Cami lives 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
At worst it is enlightened self interest. At best it shows that we really do care for other people
2007-10-09 18:37:07 · answer #9 · answered by Scouse 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
because we want to develop ourselves, I don't consider this current world peaceful and safe, it's already violent and terrible : (
2007-10-10 21:23:52 · answer #10 · answered by AriGatō! 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋