There is a widely held belief in the world that morality is not a natural instinct for humans, but rather that it is some sort of social construct. Likewise, this belief suggests that there is no such thing as morality in the animal kingdom as well. However, the work of researcher Frans de Waal has shown that animals do in fact have an innate sense for humility, fairness and compassion. This could be the very same instinctual drive that inspires most humans to be genuinely nice people.
Unfortunately, many centuries of scarcity and subjugation has left the human race in a state of confusion and frustration, where we are not acting in line with our natural instincts.
Many people get their impression of human nature from how others around them behave, and from what they were told about the history of the human species. At face value this approach seems logical, but still overlooks the mass manipulation of the human species that has taken place at the hands of various “authorities” throughout history.
People who were living in the past were subject to extreme abuse from family, church and monarchy, as well as the harsh wilderness that they were forced to contend with. These factors, along with the terrible example that was set by those in power, have resulted in the abhorrent behavior that we observe in history.
While most animals are not subject to these conditions, they are oftentimes faced with scarcity, which can cause them to act violently or territorial. However, this is not always the case as Frans de Waal explains below:
John Vibes writes for True Activist and is an author, researcher and investigative journalist who takes a special interest in the counter culture and the drug war.
