Is war an inevitable part of human nature, or a cultural invention?

[RiceWithSoySauce]

Its common knowledge that throughout the entirety of human history, the world has never experienced a period of universal peace.

The capacity for aggression and conflict is a deeply rooted human trait.

As such, it begs the question that despite war being a cultural and societal invention, does our propensity for hostility and disputes make war a predisposition of human nature?

[Masie]

I think that what you wrote is correct. We are predispositioned to want conflict to get the things that we want or stop others from getting things they don't want.

It seems to have evolved over time to be more damaging given the way the world is connected and can be applied in not just military force but also with economics too.

Sucks but going to always be a part of life it seems.

[Kelly6]

@Masie
Totally agree here too

[RiceWithSoySauce]

Yeah, I think there is an inherent need for conflict as well. If it's not war then the drive is directed into other facets of life; politics for example.

[Masie]

Yes I agree with that. If it isn't trying to destroy someone else it is trying to grab as much power as one can.

[abc3643]

Of course, it's part of human nature. It's part of animal nature. The natural world is not a happy Disneyland; it's filled with violence because, for heterotrophs like us, to live is to kill - other things must die so we can live.

Watch and learn...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypEaGQb6dJkhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQn1-mLkIHwhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAVa4QHkABs

[Bricealan]

@RiceWithSoySauce "allegedly' the Bible speaks of there always being "Wars and rumors of wars"... Mr Spock put it so eloquently... about the human race at some point in time was I believe he said: "Brutal, and Savage"

Humans can be 'brutal and savage" at any point... look at our society now?

[RiceWithSoySauce]

Agreed, humans' capacity for brutality has been demonstrated all throughout history.

[shoeboxcerealcard]

Inevitable? NO

However, there is a natural component causing it. We are emotionally capable of killing other humans.

Does culture play a role? YES

In my opinion Culture plays the biggest role. You can get rid of war via culture. Culture drives the way things are set up.

[jshm2]

Lol, don't be so dramatic kiddo.

Ants are so much like human beings as to be an embarrassment. They farm fungi, raise aphids as livestock, launch armies into war, use chemical sprays to alarm and confuse enemies, capture slaves, engage in child labour, exchange information ceaselessly. They do everything but watch television. LEWIS THOMAS (1913-93)

There are animals and bugs that live far more destructive lives than us - it's why we call people "animals" when they act out,

War in particular is just a time when talking does nothing but add more CO2 to the atmosphere, and a bit of iron in soil is needed, to make the next thing grow.

[Kelly6]

@RiceWithSoySauce War is more of a part of culture, that Europe stopped it and fully changed.

But as everyone knows, US has involved in war as a main part of economy, for which US economy can't stabilize without a war.

[RiceWithSoySauce]

Agreed, the industrial mobilization of the country for WWII was what fundamentally ended the great depression. War has been a major driver of the US economy for decades.

[NewtoTheSouth]

War is only a small part of the American economy, not the main part. America hasn't even fought a major war since Vietnam.

[sage2021]

The only way to give you my opinion on your question is to say that the Bible says that there will be wars, and rumors of war.

[OneViewpoint]

Humans are no different from lions or chimpanzees. We are social predators and very territorial. We cooperate in groups against other groups in the fight for resources. Humans are just the most evolved killing machines on the planet at the moment.

[exitseven]

Violence is hardwired in our DNA. Centuries ago violence was a part of life and people who were predisposed to violent behavior were more successful.

[FreyaRed]

War is a risk for those who fight but profitable for those who don't. Greed is source of war, it's not aggression or fear.

[DryGermanGuy]

"War is the continuation of policy with other means."

- Carl von Clausewitz

[DonaldDarko]

It's biology or chimps wouldn't be fighting wars.

[KostasKouvalis]

Human nature. I feel even if we all had the same race, same language, same religion, same views, etc... we'd STILL find something to fight over

[jahaims]

Culture has always changed. War has always existed with humans.

[Abbycado]

You just answered your own question.

[strateguy632]

war is greed. it is avoidable.

[In_Trance]

You answered this yourself

[noohair]

It is part of our DNA.

[Anonymous]

For many nations, it's true.

[FrodoSkywalker007]

Inevitable

[msc545]

It is both