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universal, that is for sure. And we can never know whether the bonobo considers the human a model, or whether the human follows 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 conflict. This can be with an external or an internal other. An external 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. Communication 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. Communication 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 cooperation. 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
