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Is it human instinct to kill?

Do you think? Just wondered, or does it really indicate mental illness as society claims? If so is society wrong? I didn't know whether to post this here or in debate and discussions or whether you'd think it was a **** thread lol.

Reply 1

digitalparadox

1

No i don't think so. Don't know why....maybe its because we're not all killing each other?!

Reply 2

Evangeline

1

digitalparadox

No i don't think so. Don't know why....maybe its because we're not all killing each other?!

You could argue that we are, what with all the wars that have been going on for hundreds of years.

Reply 3

horrorboy

OP

digitalparadox

No i don't think so. Don't know why....maybe its because we're not all killing each other?!

Its just lions etc kill each other over territory yet with humans its seen as something being mentally wrong.

Reply 4

Eien

16

I think killing is an extension of the "selfishness" gene that exists in most humans, and is essential for survival, even in today's world. Without it, we would not prioritise our own interests for our own survival/well being. The reason why killing is seen as morally wrong appears to be due to the evolution of our society and mentality - while we are still essentially the same biological humans as those who lived in wild territory in the stone ages, our mentality as a whole has changed.

Reply 5

xavier2k3

1

every human is capable of murder, whether it's an instinct is another debate..

regards
--marty

Reply 6

Sithius

16

Careful, this thread will turn to flaming just like my interest of curiosity thread did.

Oh and I think it isn't instinct. I would give answers, but expect childish flames in return...

Reply 7

Ferrus

19

Not in a natural docile state, but once under attack, yes.

Reply 8

AYE

10

I guess we're conditioned not to.

Reply 9

Schmokie Dragon

17

IMO, humans have a fundamental desire to kill deep in their instincts. How else do you think we became the top species? Humans are agressive and competative and that often manifests itself in killing. In societ we have blocked and supressed our instincts and killing has ceased to ba a fundamental part of our lives. So when people kill, they are often not ill, but simply regressing back to a more primeval state (though I won't deny that some killings are probably a product of mental instability)

Reply 10

Mush

17

Of course we have the killing instinct! You feel it everytime someone does something to you that makes you feel ****, or someone takes something important of yours. That feeling where you hate someone to the point that you could literally strangle them, would be put into action if you weren't brought up in "civilisation". Also, killing for food, but that only counts for killing other humans in dyer situations.

Reply 11

always + forever

1

to the OP, you kind of seem to be impling that all murderers are thought of insane: while some maybe, a lot are not. One can plan a murder and still be sane. The evaluating of the perpertrator's sanity has to by done case-by-case. To label all murders as insane (which I don't actually think you're doing) undermines the horror of what they have done.

I don't know whether that makes it instinctual, tho... I suppose if it is in a fight, then yes, it is. survival of the fittest, kind of. But if it's the planned murder, like Harold Shipman, then no, that's not instinct: and, I don't think that Harold Shipman was diagnosed as insane.

Reply 12

littlemissalex

13

everyone has the ability to kill and could, if they wanted to, think of killing someone. the difference between the ones that do and the ones that dont is definately, in my opinion, got to do with their mental state and the way they have been brought up. the idea that killing people is bad has been embedded in us since we were kids and we have been taught what is wrong and what is right. people that kill, often can be seen to have had an unstable background and so there is a confusion between what is right/wrong and they allow their feelings to overcome what is right/wrong.. hence forcing them to feel that killing that person is right.
i dont know if im making any sense! but thats my opinion! lol

Reply 13

Enchanté

14

I think it is instinct, but obviously more if you go back through the ages.
I personally don't think i'll be killing anyone.
I think that some people forget that we are also animals as we are a superior species.

Reply 14

warranty-ideal

12

I don't believe it's human instict to kill... I believe it's human instict to survive. If threatened mortally, most of us could kill; much as a mother would kill to defend her children.

Reply 15

Mush

17

alexandra

everyone has the ability to kill and could, if they wanted to, think of killing someone. the difference between the ones that do and the ones that dont is definately, in my opinion, got to do with their mental state and the way they have been brought up. the idea that killing people is bad has been embedded in us since we were kids and we have been taught what is wrong and what is right. people that kill, often can be seen to have had an unstable background and so there is a confusion between what is right/wrong and they allow their feelings to overcome what is right/wrong.. hence forcing them to feel that killing that person is right.
i dont know if im making any sense! but thats my opinion! lol

Exactly what i'm saying, but from a different viewpoint. It is to do with your mental state in that it has been drilled into us that it is wrong to do so by society. But society and law are actually wrong if you ask me because the rules of the earth were firstly laid down by a greater being(metaphorical) that we call mother nature. This was done by embedding instinct into everyone of us. And one of them was not to refrain from killing, but to do so if neccessary.

Mylla

to the OP, you kind of seem to be impling that all murderers are thought of insane: while some maybe, a lot are not. One can plan a murder and still be sane. The evaluating of the perpertrator's sanity has to by done case-by-case. To label all murders as insane (which I don't actually think you're doing) undermines the horror of what they have done.

I wouldn't say they were insane, only that their instincts, due to genetics, are not as easy to mould with external teachings of right and wrong.

Reply 16

silverbolt

19

Mush

Exactly what i'm saying, but from a different viewpoint. It is to do with your mental state in that it has been drilled into us that it is wrong to do so by society. But society and law are actually wrong if you ask me because the rules of the earth were firstly laid down by a greater being(metaphorical) that we call mother nature. This was done by embedding instinct into everyone of us. And one of them was not to refrain from killing, but to do so if neccessary. .

very true
man kind is a predator and predators kill, it is in each and everyone of us to kill. mankind is by nature a violent and agressive spieces capable of great atrocities. each of us

so yes it is intinctive for humans to kill

Reply 17

littlemissalex

13

actually yeah, it is wrong that society has instilled in us principles which effectively are "against our nature" - we are meant to, as frageraper also said, defend whats ours and kill any enemies. well we were at least during the whole neanderthal man era! now though, and i dont just mean the year 2006, our "natural" feelings/emotions have changed, because we no longer hunt in a sense for our food (literally hunting) and thus dont really feel threatened to protect what is in effect ours. but some people think differently and have a need to protect somethign which they claim is theirs and will kill to protect it...

Reply 18

guitargirl03

13

I don't know to be honest. How do you distinguish between murder and sport, for example?

People shoot birds for sport/ food, but it's seen as acceptable by many people, yet if a human shot another human, it's seen as murder.

Reply 19

unfinished sympathy

15

guitargirl03

I don't know to be honest. How do you distinguish between murder and sport, for example?

People shoot birds for sport/ food, but it's seen as acceptable by many people, yet if a human shot another human, it's seen as murder.

probably, but i think it depends on the kill, to kill to eat thenit is not murder, but to kill for fun is wrong, not only this but the method, the worse the method the less instinct is involved.

Is it human instinct to kill?

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