Evolution of Human Warfare Chimpanzees are our closest

Evolution of Human Warfare Chimpanzees are our closest animal relatives. We evolved from the same ancestor just 6 million years ago. Chimp Lineage Hominids (walk on 2 legs) Common Ancestor By Douglas J. Navarick Gorillas

Evolution of Human Warfare Most animal species don’t kill members of their own species. BUT (unfortunately for us) chimps do. Chimp Lineage Hominids (walk on 2 legs) Common Ancestor Gorillas

Evolution of Human Warfare Chimpanzees live in communities of 12 to 100 members. They often fight over food, status, and sexual mates but rarely to the death. Within their group they can show great kindness: empathy, sympathy, consoling others in distress, helping each other.

Evolution of Human Warfare BUT outside their group, the males kill neighboring chimpanzees viciously. LETHAL RAIDING: the dominant (alpha) male arouses aggression in several subordinate males and leads them on a raid of their neighbors’ territory, stalking lone chimps and attacking by biting, beating, dragging.

Evolution of Human Warfare When humans formed similar size groups as hunter-gatherers and as growers, they similarly carried out lethal raids on neighboring communities. Similar warfare is shown today by the Yanomamo tribes of Southern Venezuela/Northern Brazil, who have preserved their way of life for countless centuries.

Evolution of Human Warfare It appears that warfare is in our genes…but it is not necessarily in our future. Since lethal aggression is directed against outsiders, we should be able to reduce hostility by encouraging identification with a broader, more diverse group (example: the countries of the European Union).

Evolution of Human Warfare To learn more, here are two great, very readable books that you can sample for free online, like at Amazon. com…