Recognizing Aggressive Impulses

"Violence does even justice unjustly." ~ Thomas Carlyle

"No man has a natural right to commit aggression on the equal rights of another; and this is all from which the laws ought to restrain him." ~ Thomas Jefferson

"Man must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love." ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

Recognizing our aggressive impulses is somewhat important for understanding human nature.

Humans are capable of violence and aggression, many people draw a sharp line between themselves and those who exhibit extreme forms of this behaviour, such as criminals or identifiable sociopath business leaders and politicians.

We often see aggression as something that only others possess, excluding ourselves from that definition.

However, aggression is a natural tendency present in all individuals, deeply ingrained in Homo sapiens.

It has played a significant role in our evolution and success, allowing us to solve problems, adapt our environment, confront injustice, create and strive for large-scale change.

By acknowledging that aggression is part of our nature, we can better understand ourselves and channel that energy in peaceful, humane ways, such as empathy and love. Yes, think outside of your greed that causes aggression, and deep inside your deepest fears, care for another human being as if they are your own flesh and blood.