Oldal 76 [76]
universal, that is for sure. And we can never know whether the
bonobo considers the human a model, or whether the human fol¬
lows the example of the bonobo.) Aggressive conflict is definitely
the domain of human difference. To put it another way, humans
were created by and for conflict. Their lives are nothing more than
a struggle for everything.
The struggle between the same and the alien is staged in con¬
flict. This can be with an external or an internal other. An ex¬
ternal conflict might be over territory: this is my territory, and I
will defend it. “No trespassing! If you weren't invited, you aren't
welcome!”—read the signs on the borders of many properties in
the USA. And they will shoot, too. The law is on their side against
the alien trespasser. Trespassing is ingression, and it meets with
aggression. Because life is beautiful. At the same time, common
sense tells us that nothing ensures survival quite like this way of
seeing the world, at least not at first glance. But then again.
A second element must also be present, communication. Commu¬
nication obviously does not involve going at each other’s throats,
since it is a bit problematic to communicate or engage ina relatively
meaningful exchange of ideas while strangling each other. Com¬
munication is instead a cognitive activity ruled by the intellect.
Communication creates an opportunity for dialogue, which of
course can lead back to conflict in a given situation, but perhaps
that becomes less likely. If Icommunicate, the chances of conflict
are much less than if I did not. At least while we communicate
weapons and fists are (relatively) at rest.
Communication can help bring into being (or just support)
understanding, and it can lead groups from conflict to coopera¬
tion. Both history and personal experience demonstrate that the
complete lack of communication is often the cause of the most
intense conflicts. This is true even in our personal lives. Kier¬