Humans, compared to other animals, are not very strong, or very fast, or with natural weapons for fighting. How then did we succeed through the millions of years since we left the jungle? Because we are very social, working together in groups. Why then are we so hateful and prejudiced? Think Ukraine. Think Jim Crow. Think Holocaust. Think the belittling of women.
Why We Hate: Understanding the Roots of Human Conflict examines these issues from the perspectives of science, the humanities especially literature, and philosophy. First, it is shown how we used to be hunter-gatherers, working in small groups, with considerable equality (as between men and women). We avoided strangers and the resulting conflicts. Then, about ten thousand years ago, came agriculture, with a consequent huge population explosion and the possession of desirable goods, like fertile land.
Hence, tensions started to rise and warfare broke out, as we found ourselves in situations for which our evolution had not prepared us. At the same time, hostility started to rise in our (now much-expanded) groups, as those of one kind looked warily and angrily at those of other kinds. The Stranger within my gate, He may be true or kind, But he does not talk my talk— I cannot feel his mind. I see the face and the eyes and the mouth, But not the soul behind. What then can we do about this situation? Since the troubles are caused by environmental changes, hope lies in addressing the environment, broadly conceived, without the need of drastic genetic manipulation. In the case of conflict, a good start is Just War Theory, going back to Cicero and Augustine, that tries to put restrictions on fighting, with an aim ultimately of bringing it to a close. After two horrendous world wars, the creation of the United Nations has certainly not ended all strife, but working together, as it dictates, has equally certainly cut down on conflict, especially conflict where reason and fortune can limit or avoid it. In the case of prejudice, equally, we can work to avoid it. A major start is understanding the nature of hate or belittlement between people, and whether better understanding can reduce such unfortunate attitudes. A good example is our understanding of racial differences. Given the different climates within which our ancestors lived, there are reasons for different skin colors.
There is absolutely no reason to think that this in any way implies differences in abilities or intelligence. Likewise, when families were huge, women tended to be confined to household labors. Now, with efficient new ways of handling those labors – like washing machines – combined with efficient method of contraception, women can and already greatly have achieve equality with men. Looking at the world today, there is much to depress us. But, there are promising avenues of improvement – more knowledge and the goodwill of ourselves and our fellow humans. Change for the better is not impossible; it does not demand technology beyond our reach. Hate can, and must be, conquered.