Guest Raymond Posted July 17, 2007 Posted July 17, 2007 The Human Psyche Why are people so violent? Is it genetic, are people violent by nature? Or is it learned behaver? The human mind is the most perplexing masterpiece of all time. It has managed to manipulate all other species on this earth and take control. I would like to focus, at least for this topic, on religion. I would like to look at this from a sterilized scientific point of view, and I do not mean to offend anyone who has a religion. I'm sure many of the things I am about to discuss directly contradict many established teachings...so bear with me. I am also aware that this topic has been discussed many times in the past by many people, but I'm tossing it around so that we can do it too . Why have humans created themselves a higher power? Many religions sprung up with the creation of civilization, each independantly of the other. At some point, most people on Earth decided they needed something to blame, worship, love, use, etc. They then got the notion stuck in their heads that there was a higher power (or in some cases, multiple powers). Many have used this imagined power to justify their actions. The Crusades were a great example. So it all boils down to one thing. Where did we get this idea in the first place? Does it satisfy some need or fill some void in our souls? My personal take: We need Greatness. Something with absolute control and power. We want to be ruled. We want to have someone/something to turn to when all other venues of sympathy have been exhausted. Humans, being social organisms, create themselves an overlord. The key to religion is mob psychology. People need to have other people with common beliefs and ideals. It is a great conversation starter, discussing such topics. All successful religions have developed a devout following. Throughout all this, I've painted religion as sort of an ugly and childish solution to our problems. Personally, I think it's great. I respect everyone with beliefs. I think they build character, make people nicer, and easier to deal with. Religion is a great release for stressed out humans, it creates diversity, and nourishes intellectual discussions. http://blog.jalenack.com/archives/the-human-psyche/ Are humans violent by nature? History is full of violence, We even make define time of History by the was that were fought. The romans watched gladiatorial games were men fought to the death against men and animals, they watched executions where people were fed to animals. For most of history executions were public, people even brought there children to see them, during the French revolution when many people were guillotined, people would bring handkerchiefs to soak up some of the blood to keep as souvenirs. To this day people still watch animal fights where animals are forced to fight to the death. The modern media is full of violence though most of the violence is done by bad guys who most often get killed in the end. In ancient history most empires often pillaged the land they conquered, they raped, murdered and enslaved the people they conquered, the Mongols were the worst, they killed men, women and children with out mercy. Why are people so violent? Is it genetic, are people violent by nature? Or is it learned behaver? Permalink The Sociological Basis of Greed Greed has a strong biological basis. However, it has an even stronger social basis. This sets it somewhat apart from self-preservation and reproduction. To examine greed and how it fits into human sociology, we need to start from the beginning. http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~taflinge/socgreed.html Quote
Guest Bill M Posted July 17, 2007 Posted July 17, 2007 "Raymond" <Bluerhymer@aol.com> wrote in message news:1184691441.430143.175900@i13g2000prf.googlegroups.com... > The Human Psyche > Why are people so violent? Is it genetic, are people violent by > nature? Or is it learned behaver? > > The human mind is the most perplexing masterpiece of all time. It has > managed to manipulate all other species on this earth and take > control. > > I would like to focus, at least for this topic, on religion. I would > like to look at this from a sterilized scientific point of view, and I > do not mean to offend anyone who has a religion. I'm sure many of the > things I am about to discuss directly contradict many established > teachings...so bear with me. I am also aware that this topic has been > discussed many times in the past by many people, but I'm tossing it > around so that we can do it too . > > Why have humans created themselves a higher power? Many religions > sprung up with the creation of civilization, each independantly of the > other. At some point, most people on Earth decided they needed > something to blame, worship, love, use, etc. They then got the notion > stuck in their heads that there was a higher power (or in some cases, > multiple powers). Many have used this imagined power to justify their > actions. The Crusades were a great example. I think you make some very good points bur I personally believe that tjhe beliefs in gods and some after life are built into our psycs as part of our automatic defence system. We do not know from wense we came nor where we go. This leaves us in a very uncomfortable and fearful mental state. To over come this we need to create Gods, Heavens and Hells to overcome the panic fears of what comes after the end of our life. We just cannot deal with the likelyhood that death is the end point with no further existence. > So it all boils down to one thing. Where did we get this idea in the > first place? Does it satisfy some need or fill some void in our souls? > My personal take: We need Greatness. Something with absolute control > and power. We want to be ruled. We want to have someone/something to > turn to when all other venues of sympathy have been exhausted. Humans, > being social organisms, create themselves an overlord. > > The key to religion is mob psychology. People need to have other > people with common beliefs and ideals. It is a great conversation > starter, discussing such topics. All successful religions have > developed a devout following. > > Throughout all this, I've painted religion as sort of an ugly and > childish solution to our problems. Personally, I think it's great. I > respect everyone with beliefs. I think they build character, make > people nicer, and easier to deal with. Religion is a great release for > stressed out humans, it creates diversity, and nourishes intellectual > discussions. > > http://blog.jalenack.com/archives/the-human-psyche/ > > Are humans violent by nature? > > History is full of violence, We even make define time of History by > the was that were fought. > > The romans watched gladiatorial games were men fought to the death > against men and animals, they watched executions where people were fed > to animals. For most of history executions were public, people even > brought there children to see them, during the French revolution when > many people were guillotined, people would bring handkerchiefs to soak > up some of the blood to keep as souvenirs. To this day people still > watch animal fights where animals are forced to fight to the death. > The modern media is full of violence though most of the violence is > done by bad guys who most often get killed in the end. > > In ancient history most empires often pillaged the land they > conquered, they raped, murdered and enslaved the people they > conquered, the Mongols were the worst, they killed men, women and > children with out mercy. > > Why are people so violent? Is it genetic, are people violent by > nature? Or is it learned behaver? > > Permalink > > The Sociological Basis of Greed > Greed has a strong biological basis. However, it has an even stronger > social basis. This sets it somewhat apart from self-preservation and > reproduction. To examine greed and how it fits into human sociology, > we need to start from the beginning. > > http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~taflinge/socgreed.html > Quote
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