Received: by alpheratz.cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk id MAA29976 (8.6.9/5.3[ref pg@gmsl.co.uk] for cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk from fmb-bounces@mmu.ac.uk); Mon, 17 Sep 2001 12:10:26 +0100 Message-ID: <2D1C159B783DD211808A006008062D3102A6CFD9@inchna.stir.ac.uk> From: Vincent Campbell <v.p.campbell@stir.ac.uk> To: "'memetics@mmu.ac.uk'" <memetics@mmu.ac.uk> Subject: RE: On the origin of .... war Date: Mon, 17 Sep 2001 10:29:03 +0100 X-Mailer: Internet Mail Service (5.5.2650.21) Content-Type: text/plain X-Filter-Info: UoS MailScan 0.1 [D 1] Sender: fmb-bounces@mmu.ac.uk Precedence: bulk Reply-To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
Hi Ted,
<There just doesn't seem to be any rational basis for it.
Aboriginal tribes get virtually nothing out of it. Yet they're often just
as enthusiastic about war as we are for team sports. Instead of looking for
a reason, we need to be looking at the unreason that bubbles up from the
unconscious mind.>
No we don't Ted, Aboriginals get as much from war as anyone else- increased
territority, decreased competition for resources, opportunities to improve
the tribe's gene pool by kidnapping women and children etc. etc. It all
depends how one defines rational. In adaptive terms, war can be highly
rational, and a very good strategy for dealing with competitors within one's
own species in a single encounter. I refer again to the evidence of great
ape raiding parties on neighbouring troops.
We often tend to think of rationality as in some way automatically removed
from what we are when it's not, and what we need to do is recognise this
otherwise we will never be able to turn away from instinctive flight/fight
responses to such acts.
George Galloway, a Scottish MP ardently opposed to military action, and who
was against the Gulf War, made the point that if the allies (as they are
being dubbed in the UK) flatten Afghanistan then we risk creating many more
Bin Ladens in his place. I'm not suggesting something shouldn't be done (I
for one wouldn't be sorry to see the Taleban get a kicking), but my instinct
is always that the bravest of acts is to not retaliate with, what's the
phrase- extreme predjudice, which looks likely at the moment. If
pro-Taleban pakistanis oust Musharaf in the event of mass slaughter there,
they suddenly have access to nuclear weapons, and whilst that might not make
the US and Nato act rashly, India may feel in imminent danger etc. etc.
Vincent
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