War & Human Nature: Crash Course World History 204

Summary

In this Crash Course World History episode, John Green explores the complex topic of war, questioning whether war is inherent to human nature. He discusses philosophical debates between Hobbes and Rousseau on humanity's violence, examines anthropological and archaeological evidence, and delves into evolutionary explanations for conflict. While acknowledging the thrill and transcendence some soldiers experience in combat, Green emphasizes that war is not inevitable. He urges viewers to recognize the importance of human choices in shaping history and ending cycles of violence, while cautioning against oversimplified biological explanations for war.

Takeaways

• 🎓 The Crash Course World History series tends to focus more on cooperation and trade rather than war, as they believe these aspects have a more significant impact on history.
• 🤔 The video discusses the controversial question of whether war is part of 'human nature', exploring philosophical and anthropological perspectives.
• 👨‍🎓 Nietzsche's view that humans are naturally war-like is contrasted with the idea that such instincts are not universal, particularly among young men who are more likely to go to war.
• 🧬 Anthropological evidence suggests that pre-civilization societies were violent, challenging the notion of a peaceful 'state of nature' as proposed by Rousseau.
• 🛡️ The video points out that while humans may have an innate capacity for aggression, this does not necessitate violence or killing, and many people live without resorting to such actions.
• 🌿 The scarcity of resources like food and mates in the past could have driven humans towards violence and war as a means of survival and reproduction.
• 🔥 The script highlights that the thrill and excitement of combat can be a powerful motivator for soldiers, suggesting an underlying biological attraction to the act of fighting.
• 🤝 Loyalty to comrades and the desire to protect one's group are presented as significant reasons why soldiers fight, beyond basic needs or evolutionary imperatives.
• 🧠 The video emphasizes the importance of human choice in the context of war, arguing that while biology may provide a predisposition, it is not deterministic.
• ✋ It concludes by cautioning against a fatalistic view of war as inevitable, advocating for the understanding that human institutions and choices can lead to peace and the prevention of conflict.

Q & A

What is the main subject of the Crash Course World History episode discussed in the transcript?

The main subject of the episode is war, specifically the reasons why people fight and whether making war is part of 'human nature'.

Why does John Green express initial reluctance to discuss the history of war?

John Green is reluctant to discuss the history of war because he feels it has been well-covered elsewhere and he has not yet figured out a way to approach the topic effectively within the Crash Course format.

What is the debate between Hobbes and Rousseau regarding human nature and war?

Hobbes believed that humans are naturally war-like and violent, while Rousseau thought that humans are naturally peaceful and only become violent due to civilization.

According to the transcript, what does anthropology suggest about the nature of pre-civilization societies?

Anthropology suggests that pre-civilization societies were often violent, with evidence of warfare and killing being common causes of mortality.

What does John Green argue about the evolutionary perspective on human aggression and war?

John Green suggests that while aggression might be an innate trait in humans, it does not necessarily lead to violence or war. He cautions against using evolutionary biology to explain cultural characteristics like warlike behavior and emphasizes that humans have free will to make choices beyond biological imperatives.

What role do resources like food and sex play in the evolutionary explanation for war?

In the evolutionary explanation for war, resources such as food and sex are seen as essential for survival and reproduction. Competition for these scarce resources could lead to violence and war.

What does the transcript suggest about the nature of warfare in the 'state of nature'?

The transcript suggests that in the 'state of nature', warfare often took the form of raids rather than large-scale battles, with violence occurring during surprise attacks on other groups.

Why does John Green mention Karl Marlantes and his views on war in the episode?

John Green mentions Karl Marlantes to provide insights from a soldier's perspective on why people fight, including the sense of transcendence, loyalty, and the thrill of combat.

What does the transcript imply about the role of institutions in human evolution compared to biological evolution?

The transcript implies that while human biology may not have evolved significantly in the past thousand years, human institutions have evolved significantly due to human choices, which have shaped the development of societies and the potential for ending cycles of violence.

How does John Green conclude the episode regarding the inevitability of war?

John Green concludes that war is not inevitable, emphasizing that while it is difficult to end a war, it is not impossible, and that human choices and institutions have the power to break cycles of violence.