| Chapter 1: | Instincts |
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habitual to the community the sentiment of self-aggrandizement gets the upper hand, and subservience to the able-bodied elders becomes the dominant note in this relation of tutelage, and their parental interest in the welfare of the incoming generation in a corresponding degree goes into abeyance under the pressure of the appropriate sentiments of pugnacity and self-seeking, giving rise to a coercive regime of a more or less ruthless character [1914, 45].
The subservience of the young to the old is common to many cultures, and would no doubt occur because of our parental bent alone. After all, older people have more knowledge and wisdom than the young. But when it is blended with self-aggrandizement, paternalism can become an excuse for self-interested dominance. One need only to look at the repressive dictatorships around the world to find examples where self-aggrandizement is disguised as parental solicitude for the welfare of the masses.
Another of the self-regarding traits is our predatory instinct. The predatory instinct is tied closely to our desire to rank high compared to others. There is something in human nature that is gratified when we can dominate other people. It is akin to the thrill of the hunt, although in this case it is other people who are “hunted.” We want to demonstrate our superiority over others to “prove” our higher status. Predatory actions may also allow us to get “something for nothing.”
The predatory instinct is exhibited in a variety of ways. In some cultures, warfare is the most admired way of exercising predatory drives. A victorious warrior demonstrates superior predatory prowess, and often brings home trophies as proof of his exploits. Trophies