theories that support adversarialism

Science versus Peace?Science versus Peace?

Deconstructing Adversarial TheoryDeconstructing Adversarial Theory

(c) 2012 (c) 2012 -- Peter C. NewtonPeter C. Newton--EvansEvans

Objectives:Objectives:

Performance Objective: Performance Objective: By the end of this session, By the end of this session, the participants will be able to discuss the weaknesses the participants will be able to discuss the weaknesses of various theories that support the adversarial culture.of various theories that support the adversarial culture.

Learning Learning ObjsObjs: : During this session, participants will:During this session, participants will:

1. Discuss the results of a survey on what people think 1. Discuss the results of a survey on what people think about human nature.about human nature.

2. Make a list of why many believe that world justice, 2. Make a list of why many believe that world justice, unity and peace are impossible.unity and peace are impossible.

3. Develop responses to some of the reasons identified.3. Develop responses to some of the reasons identified.


Culture of AdversarialismCulture of AdversarialismCharacterized by divisionism, conflict, Characterized by divisionism, conflict, competition, struggle, strife, aggression, competition, struggle, strife, aggression, violence, and wars.violence, and wars.

SocioSocio--structural aspects consisting of winstructural aspects consisting of win--lose relationships.lose relationships.

PsychoPsycho--structural aspects based on belief structural aspects based on belief that winthat win--lose relationships are inevitable lose relationships are inevitable and/or beneficial.and/or beneficial.

Current globalized Western culture is a Current globalized Western culture is a culture of adversarialism.culture of adversarialism.


Culture of PeaceCulture of PeaceThe opposite of adversarialism: a society of The opposite of adversarialism: a society of mutualism, cooperation and mutual aid. mutualism, cooperation and mutual aid. A complex concept that continues to evolve and A complex concept that continues to evolve and develop as the outcome of practice.develop as the outcome of practice.A growing body of shared values, attitudes, A growing body of shared values, attitudes, behaviors, and lifestyles based on: behaviors, and lifestyles based on: •• NonNon--violence,violence,•• Respect for fundamental rights and freedoms, Respect for fundamental rights and freedoms, •• Understanding, tolerance and solidarity,Understanding, tolerance and solidarity,•• CoCo--participation,participation,•• Free circulation of information,Free circulation of information,•• Full involvement and strengthening of women.Full involvement and strengthening of women.

A vast project of multidimensional, worldA vast project of multidimensional, world--wide wide scope. scope.


Basic Theses:Basic Theses:‘‘Human natureHuman nature’’ makes us just as capable of makes us just as capable of cooperation as competition, of aggression as cooperation as competition, of aggression as tenderness, of greed as generosity.tenderness, of greed as generosity.

Which we express is influenced but not determined Which we express is influenced but not determined by our culture; and can be changed.by our culture; and can be changed.

The world status is a fruit of collective, historical The world status is a fruit of collective, historical choices, greatly influenced by 500 years of choices, greatly influenced by 500 years of Western cultural hegemony.Western cultural hegemony.

Human nature poses no obstacle to exchanging the Human nature poses no obstacle to exchanging the current culture of violence for a culture of peace, current culture of violence for a culture of peace, and to building a world of justice, unity and peace.and to building a world of justice, unity and peace.


Group DiscussionGroup Discussion

Social dilemmas (winSocial dilemmas (win--lose) are destroylose) are destroy--inging our society.our society.

The solution is to The solution is to ‘‘rebootreboot’’ all institutions all institutions (as win(as win--win relations)win relations)..

Many people think this is impossible.Many people think this is impossible.

QuestionQuestion: What arguments do they use?: What arguments do they use?


Epistemological BorrowingEpistemological BorrowingWhat is epistemological borrowing?What is epistemological borrowing?•• From physicsFrom physics•• From evolutionFrom evolution•• From ethologyFrom ethology•• From psychologyFrom psychology•• From theologyFrom theology

Reductionism: what Reductionism: what is wrong with it?is wrong with it?What happens when What happens when the theory changes?the theory changes?


Study Questions: PhysicsStudy Questions: Physics

How did classical physics further the developHow did classical physics further the develop--mentment of the human and social sciences?of the human and social sciences?

How did it lead to the worldview for the How did it lead to the worldview for the culture of adversarialism? culture of adversarialism?

How have the How have the ‘‘new physicsnew physics’’ opened the door opened the door to a new worldview?to a new worldview?

What is the matter What is the matter with Social Entropy?with Social Entropy?


The Legacy of PhysicsThe Legacy of Physics

Many current sciences were then Many current sciences were then branches of philosophy.branches of philosophy.

Newtonian physics gave them: Newtonian physics gave them: •• A model of scientific studyA model of scientific study

•• A coherent epistemologyA coherent epistemology

•• A readyA ready--made metamade meta--paradigmparadigm

It also gave them theories from It also gave them theories from which to borrow.which to borrow.


Social PhysicsSocial Physics

Physics Society

AtomsAtoms IndividualsIndividuals

CollisionsCollisions ConflictsConflicts

MomentumMomentum MotivationMotivation

DirectionDirection InterestsInterests

MassMass PowerPower


Philosophical ImplicationsPhilosophical Implications

Classical Physics New Physics

Atomistic Systemic

Reductionist Non-reductionist

Mechanicism Organicism

Deterministic Self-determination

Materialistic Integrality


Social EntropySocial EntropyEntropyEntropy: Disorder in a system grows or remains stable.: Disorder in a system grows or remains stable.

Social entropySocial entropy: Society will disintegrate and finally collapse.: Society will disintegrate and finally collapse.

ReasonReason: More individuals, drivers and interests multiply : More individuals, drivers and interests multiply

complexity of society to unsustainable point and collapse.complexity of society to unsustainable point and collapse.

CollapseCollapse: Spend more energy maintaining social structures : Spend more energy maintaining social structures

than providing benefits, leads to social disorder.than providing benefits, leads to social disorder.

ChardinChardin: Expansion : Expansion ––> > complexificationcomplexification ––> > interiorizationinteriorization

SystemsSystems: Not adapting to change : Not adapting to change ––> tension > tension ––> turning > turning

point point ––> collapse of old system > collapse of old system ––> rise of new system.> rise of new system.


Study Questions: EvolutionStudy Questions: Evolution

How did the concept of How did the concept of ‘‘survival of the survival of the fittestfittest’’ come about, come about, and what are its and what are its adversarial implicationsadversarial implications??

How can How can ‘‘survival of the fittestsurvival of the fittest’’ be be interpreted to support noninterpreted to support non--adversarial adversarial conclusions? conclusions?

Which applies best to human society: Which applies best to human society: natural or artificial selection? Why?natural or artificial selection? Why?


Survival of the FittestSurvival of the FittestDarwinDarwin: From artificial : From artificial to natural selectionto natural selectionSpencerSpencer: Best fit in the : Best fit in the ““struggle for lifestruggle for life””Survival of strongest Survival of strongest vs. most adaptablevs. most adaptableMerged under name of Merged under name of ““DarwinismDarwinism”” (over (over DarwinDarwin’’s dead body)s dead body)

“It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but the most responsive to change.”

Social DarwinismSocial Darwinism


NonNon--Adversarial SurvivalAdversarial Survival

HumansHumans: not adaptive physiology but : not adaptive physiology but behaviorbehavior..

Individual survival requires community survival.Individual survival requires community survival.

Community survival Community survival

requires mutualism.requires mutualism.

Adversarialism is Adversarialism is

just maladaptive!just maladaptive!

Violent, conflictive Violent, conflictive

members punished.members punished.


Artificial SelectionArtificial Selection

Plant wild species Plant wild species ––> reproduce the best.> reproduce the best.

InstitutionsInstitutions: : no randomly mutating genes.no randomly mutating genes.

Society building is conscious, deliberate.Society building is conscious, deliberate.

Adapting structures to change is, too.Adapting structures to change is, too.

““Natural selectionNatural selection”” is excuse for injustice.is excuse for injustice.

Each failed attempt is costly for society.Each failed attempt is costly for society.

Learn from experience and grow together.Learn from experience and grow together.


Study Questions: GeneticsStudy Questions: Genetics

How did genetics support adversarial How did genetics support adversarial findings of evolutionary theory?findings of evolutionary theory?

On what assumptions does socioOn what assumptions does socio--biology base its conclusions?biology base its conclusions?

What is the problem with What is the problem with genetic determinism?genetic determinism?

How does the New Biology How does the New Biology answer these ideas?answer these ideas?


Genetics and adversarial evolutionGenetics and adversarial evolution

It provided the mechanism by which It provided the mechanism by which

characteristics are passed from one characteristics are passed from one

generation to the next.generation to the next.

Genes were attributed Genes were attributed

adversarial intentionality adversarial intentionality

Richard Dawkins: Richard Dawkins: ““The The

Selfish GeneSelfish Gene””


Problems with genetic determinismProblems with genetic determinismDouble reductionism: geneDouble reductionism: gene––manman––society society (no proof of behavior or social dynamics)(no proof of behavior or social dynamics)

Universality of feature proves genetic origin Universality of feature proves genetic origin (from gender relations to religious creed)(from gender relations to religious creed)

Genetic continuity: from animals to humans Genetic continuity: from animals to humans (mere analogies; evolutionary distance)(mere analogies; evolutionary distance)

Inherited personality: Inherited personality: ““chip of the old blockchip of the old block””(no sure evidence; circular arguments)(no sure evidence; circular arguments)

Genetic capacity: not enough DNAGenetic capacity: not enough DNA


Problems with SociobiologyProblems with Sociobiology

Edward Edward O.WilsonO.Wilson, , ““SociobiologySociobiology––The New SynthesisThe New Synthesis””::

•• Describes human nature by observing societyDescribes human nature by observing society

•• Assumes widespread = genetically determinedAssumes widespread = genetically determined

•• This nature coded in us through social DarwinismThis nature coded in us through social Darwinism

Errors: reductionist, biased, ideological, essentialistErrors: reductionist, biased, ideological, essentialist

LewontinLewontin: An : An ““attempt to convince people that life is attempt to convince people that life is what it has to be and perhaps even ought to bewhat it has to be and perhaps even ought to be””..

KarlbergKarlberg: A : A ““justification of injustices and inequitiesjustification of injustices and inequities””..

Name replaced by Name replaced by ““Evolutionary PsychologyEvolutionary Psychology””..


New BiologyNew Biology’’s Answerss Answers

DNA is a selfDNA is a self--organizing force, not blindly organizing force, not blindly led by natural selection. led by natural selection.

Organisms experience and respond to their Organisms experience and respond to their environment, but also create it.environment, but also create it.

SymbiogenesisSymbiogenesis: organisms were formed by : organisms were formed by symbiotic relations turned permanent.symbiotic relations turned permanent.

Natural selection adjusts population levels, Natural selection adjusts population levels, but usually does not destroy gene base.but usually does not destroy gene base.


Seville Statement on ViolenceSeville Statement on Violence

““It is scientifically incorrect to say that It is scientifically incorrect to say that

in the course of human evolution there in the course of human evolution there

has been a selection for aggressive has been a selection for aggressive

behaviorbehavior…… Violence is neither in our Violence is neither in our

evolutionary legacy nor in our genes.evolutionary legacy nor in our genes.””


Study Questions: EthologyStudy Questions: Ethology

Is there a Is there a ‘‘killer instinctkiller instinct’’ in human beings? in human beings?

Do humans beings Do humans beings

have have any any instincts? instincts?

Do humans have Do humans have

a a ‘‘violent brainviolent brain’’? ?


Do we have a killer instinct?Do we have a killer instinct?

Evolutionary distance from animals too greatEvolutionary distance from animals too great

Hunting is not murderHunting is not murder

War is unique to humansWar is unique to humans

Most youth are peacefulMost youth are peaceful

‘‘TrainingTraining’’ changes thischanges this

NationNation--states impose warstates impose war

Even this is relatively new in human historyEven this is relatively new in human history


Are there Are there any any human instincts?human instincts?

Depends on common or Depends on common or scientific definitionscientific definition::•• ““A repetitive pattern of specific and often complex A repetitive pattern of specific and often complex

behaviors, common to entire species, automatic, behaviors, common to entire species, automatic, irresistible, unalterable, not due to learningirresistible, unalterable, not due to learning””

Man has no behaviors that meet this definitionMan has no behaviors that meet this definition!!

ReflexReflex: simple, automatic reaction from spinal : simple, automatic reaction from spinal cord or local nervescord or local nerves

Biological predispositionBiological predisposition: innate, more complex : innate, more complex behavior that requires learning to express itselfbehavior that requires learning to express itself

DriveDrive: biological need that grows until satisfied: biological need that grows until satisfied


The Violent BrainThe Violent Brain‘‘Limbic centerLimbic center’’ lets us feel fear and angerlets us feel fear and angerA normal person has full control over itA normal person has full control over itSurrounded by many control functionsSurrounded by many control functionsPathologies heighten feeling; lose controlPathologies heighten feeling; lose controlNot define human nature by pathologyNot define human nature by pathologyMost brain centers for peaceful activitiesMost brain centers for peaceful activities

”It is scientifically incorrect to say that we have a ‘violent brain’… There is nothing in our neuro- physiology that compels us to react violently.”


Behavior and FitnessBehavior and Fitness

Behavior Effect on actor

Effect on receiver

Effect on Society

Selfishness More fitness Less fitness 0 sum

Cooperation More fitness More fitness + sum

Altruism Little less fitness

Much more fitness + sum

Vengeance Less fitness Less fitness – sum


Study Question: Good/EvilStudy Question: Good/Evil

What are possible consequences (positive What are possible consequences (positive or negative) of the beliefs:or negative) of the beliefs:•• that human beings are evil that human beings are evil

or sinners by nature?or sinners by nature?

•• that we are inherently good?that we are inherently good?

Is there an alternative approach? Is there an alternative approach?

What might be some of its potential What might be some of its potential consequences?consequences?


Borrowing from TheologyBorrowing from Theology

From fatalism to determinismFrom fatalism to determinism

From original sin to geneticsFrom original sin to genetics

The problem with innate The problem with innate goodnessgoodness

The alternative of a double The alternative of a double human naturehuman nature

……

Dou

ble

Hum

an

Nat

ure

Mind

Generosity Cooperation

Solidarity Compassion Tolerancia

Truth Love

Hatred Lies

Greed Violence

Aggressive Competition Selfishness

Higher Nature

Lower Nature


Myths of OriginMyths of OriginSay where we came from and howSay where we came from and how

Timeless: cover past, present, futureTimeless: cover past, present, future

Give us an identity: good or badGive us an identity: good or bad

Define prospects: empower or limit usDefine prospects: empower or limit us

Some contemporary examples:Some contemporary examples:•• Creation myth in Book of GenesisCreation myth in Book of Genesis

•• Evolution myth in (NeoEvolution myth in (Neo--)Darwinism)Darwinism

We need an empowering myth of originWe need an empowering myth of origin

The The ‘‘Proof by AssertionProof by Assertion’’ FallacyFallacy

“A lie told often enough becomes

the truth."

(Joseph Goebbles, Nazi

Minister of Propaganda)


Science & SocioScience & Socio--cultural Realitycultural RealityScience justifies historical eventsScience justifies historical eventsScience legitimizes the Science legitimizes the status quostatus quoScience reinforces social Science reinforces social attitudesattitudesScience Science can becan be a source a source of socioof socio--cultural changecultural changeItIt’’s up to uss up to us……


THE ENDTHE END

Or just the beginning?Or just the beginning?

theories that support adversarialism

Education

newtonevans newton

human society

adversarial culture

social sciences

social disorder

social darwinism

social structuresthan

social entropyentropy