Violence Is Learned… And It Can Also Be Unlearned

Ever since violent phenomena began to be studied in the human sciences, in the middle of the 20th century, there has been a question that has haunted all the investigations in this regard: is human violence something instinctive or is it learned? In this regard, a multitude of hypotheses have arisen. However, one thing is very clear: all cultures, at all times, have manifested aggressive behaviors.

Concern  around this issue has increased for a few decades. The world wars proved that the ability of human beings to harm each other was limitless. These and many other events have led us to see ourselves even with fear of ourselves.

Perhaps due to these historical episodes, the concept of aggressiveness took on a completely negative connotation. It was not always like this. In fact, without the ability to attack or respond to aggression, we would not have managed to survive as a species. However, the human being has taken violence too far and that is what generates concern.

Aggression and violence, two different concepts

Sometimes it is thought that aggressiveness and violence are two equal realities, but they are not. Aggression is part of our instinctual team. We are born with it and have its physiologically imprinted brand. It involves a series of physical and chemical processes that are started automatically, without our being aware of it.

Aggression is biological. It helps us to enter into a state of alert in case of danger . Also to defend ourselves if necessary and to adapt to the environment. It is normal and healthy that, for example, we react aggressively if someone tries to push us to fall. Our survival instinct makes us respond to this threat with aggressive gestures or actions.

Violence, on the other hand, is cultural. It corresponds to all those behaviors intended to harm another, for reasons other than the objective preservation of our integrity. Only the human species has violent behaviors, no other animal engages in this type of behavior.

Violence, therefore, is learned. Aggression is instinctive, but violence is symbolic. This means that we come into the world with innate tools to respond aggressively, when it is necessary to preserve life and integrity. But the desire and the tendency to harm others for different reasons is instilled, taught. The good news is that it can also be unlearned.

Learning and unlearning of violence

Almost all violent people justify their behavior with some false reason. Most argue that they harm others to defend themselves, or to teach or instill something positive. The victim is also frequently blamed for inciting such violence against her. And it is not uncommon for higher principles to be invoked, whether of a religious or political nature.

Behind these fallacies there are complex ideological constructions, also fallacious. Violence is first symbolic (cultural) and then physical. For example, to enslave blacks throughout the world, it was first argued that they had no soul. A whole catalog was drawn up regarding their inferior and vicious behaviors. Thus, the physical violence against them was already justified. The same happened with women, indigenous people, and now it is happening with animals.

It is assumed that violence “in legitimate defense” can be admitted. However, there are many cases in history in which this defense is based on a non-existent threat. In various sacred books it is said that woman is the undoing of men. Likewise, in many sacred wars each side opposes its god to that of the other and to erase it from the face of the Earth is a laudable mission. And in different everyday situations, the other is symbolically disqualified to lay the foundations that allow them to be violated with total “conviction”.

The violent, then, is either eradicated from the mind or it is not eradicated. Rifles can be silenced or the blows stopped. But if the other is not seen as a worthy fellow man, the violence will return. It may take a non-physical form, like scathing criticism, mockery, or icy indifference, but it’s still violence. There is no need to fear aggressive feelings, because they are part of our vital defense. Yes, we must distance ourselves from violent impulses that, as we all know, only breed injustice and more violence.

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