Basic Human Instinct by Evan Raffel

“Basic Human Instinct”
A short essay by Evan Raffel

“To be human is to be schizophrenic. We all have two natures”
Human instinct or nature is a complex, layered, and controversial aspect of our society. For the most part it is the same. Only in secluded, remote areas of the world where ideas cannot be easily spread is it different. But for all purposes I am not discussing those remote and rare instances. Instead, I will discuss basic human instinct in the world we live today, in the information age. Our basic instinct in such a world is dual. I mean that within our instinct is a two-sided nature. We evolve by discovering new ways to enhance our lives. Whether through new power sources or medicine to add longevity to our lives, all advances lead and are driven by to two things. They are our destruction and our survival. Although both are very different ideas, they share a place in our instinct as the base of our behavior. As we learn more about ourselves we can live longer and better survive harsh conditions. But, in this way we learn how to better kill each other and create the harsh conditions that we know we cannot survive in. This double-sided sword is what our lives, our behavior, and our entire society relies on, for both life, and death.

This simple, but two-faced nature separates us from the rest of the life forms on earth. Other life forms cannot easily communicate and share information like us. Also they do not share the intellect that we do. They are unable to learn the conditions that the rest of their species lives in. We however can now easily know what’s going on elsewhere, causing us to strive to be better, even the best. That is what drives us to advances. Once again, since lower forms of life do not have this ability they do not evolve and advance in their society. They are able to cope with their simple existence on earth. They require no destruction of nature and are able to create a balance. They interact with nature, rather than use it as a tool, as we do.

In conclusion, I feel that humans are very complex. Even within this dual-sided existence we live, I believe it is deeper than that and that our true meanings will forever remain a mystery. Also, I believe that as long as we continue to strive for good, and peace, that we can keep a balance, although never remove evil. I do have faith in humans, and trust that our instinct for survival can overcome our self-destruction. “The Matrix” compared us with a virus. I believe we are the virus, and the cure.