Is civilization only a pretence?

Yes, we all have these primal beastly instincts ,but at the same time we also have the ability to control our instincts. Violence is part of life for some people since sometimes ignorance can create so much violence.

Hi bala, civilization is not all the time a pretence. It has made us what we are today.Man is like all other animals made up of different qualities like love,hate,anger,jealous,a quest for power. I dont think that we are complete without all these both positive and negative feelings.But the degree and the level is what differenciates man from man.In some these negative qualities are dominant and it can erupt into a volatile situation given the right( wrong ) circumstances.It is just the way nature has made it survival of the fittest...All the best and have a nice day

HI! You are very right Bala that people tend to nurture beastly tendencies inside their hearts and minds and whenever they see an opportunity, they become beast or animals or unleash mindless violence. However, their percentage is not very much, else we as a Society, at large, may not survive. Most of us try to behave in a proper and decent manner and try our best to be civilized. Those of us, who are sane, ignore or suppress our beastly tendencies, because in our hearts of hearts, we know that it is against the ethics and norms of our Society and we should prove ourselves to be good citizens.

That 'primal beastly interest' will always be present in us. I think that that's a part of our human nature. Its how we really are. I think that civilization is just a way of organizing that nature of self interest. This situation is clearly displayed in everyday politics. The battle arena might not be the jungle hunting for wild animals and competing with other tribes but the concept in offices, schools, communities is just the same. We now have gadgets and technologies to help us but the use of these newfound information is just of self interest. It might seem that people act according to the welfare of the common good but when you really think about it, its purely self interest. A person will not do something if it wont be beneficial to him. Civilization only masks the truth of the very being of human nature. That's just what I think anyways.^_^

yes civilization is merely an illusion we humans are animals and sometimes we revert back to acting like it

Civilization isn't a pretense..Its a goal! Yes, we have all these examples of our 'beastly' existence and it is because of those that civilization is pursued. If one doesn't know where they are coming from, how then will they have any notion of where to go? What of yourself? Do you consider yourself to be an active member in a pretense or an active member in pursuit of a goal called civilization? Are you part of the problem or part of the solution? ENJOY!

We have the primal instincts within us, but for most it's trained, curbed and subdued by our upbringing, influences and also by the instinct of humanity that lies within us. But this is not just beastly instincts Bala, it's madness. Even wild animals would not go about causing destruction and pain this way to thier own kind.

yup,if you go and see the interior villages where tribals and how they are mistreated by the upper class,i would say the days before the independence were better.

I saw this in my mail,and immediately the first thought was that it is a very thought-provoking discussion Bala.THis thought has struck me too but in another way-I used to think that we are so-called civilized people but the events do not prove this[especially during the terror attacks in Mumbai this thought was uppermost in mind],.I suppose man's baser instincts supersedes the veneer of civilization he has donned.It is sad.Everyone has that beastly instinct within but it is self-control that governs most of us.THere are some who get back to base.All others end up being victims.A cause for concern!

Yes, balasri, we do all have that animal instinct, but supposedly our intellect is so much higher than that of animals that we are expected to keep a tight rein on such behavior. I know it doesn't seem like a lot of people have this kind of self-control, but, in spite of all the evil deeds we hear about on a daily basis, I like to think they are the exception and not the rule.

Hey bala! I wish I knew that answer to this question! If we all had this answer the world would be such a beautiful and peaceful place to live! It would so wonderful to not have to live with all the violence and hatred and suffering that we have throughout the world. I wish that someone would find the answer soon! I am afraid that it isn't going to come in my lifetime and that is truly so very sad~

Yes, sure those primal beastly interests are within all of us to a certain extent, I would imagine...The idea of a civilised society is the ability to control our primitive urges by using our intelligence which differentiates us from the animals. Unfortunately there are some who due to mental disorders or psychological traumas and the like do not have this ability hence all the violence in an otherwise peaceful world. Sad but true...

Hi Bala! I think that there is that primal instinct in people that make them act uncivilized sometimes. It's hard to say if it's instinct or just a very brutal mean streak.