Arthur Koestler considered
man an evolutionary blunder. The lion’s
share of the wealth we create is spent in war, terrorism and other destructive
activities. We have infinite gods with
countless priests and yet we are not able to surmount the unbounded hatred we
carry inside our little hearts. We work
miracles with science and technology but remain crude brutes deep inside
us. Is it all because of some
evolutionary error?
 |
| Arthur Koestler |
Koestler believed it
was. There is “a screw loose in the
human mind,” he wrote in his book, The
Ghost in the Machine. He called the
Homo Sapiens a "biological freak, the result of some remarkable mistake in
the evolutionary process." It is
because the ape began to walk on two legs too quickly. The whole mutation took place in too short a
time for the human heart to change significantly. The reasoning brain evolved, but the heart
remained savage. That’s what Koestler
says.
Koestler relied on
neuroscientist Paul D. MacLean’s model of the human brain for his
arguments. According to MacLean, three
brains coexist in the human skull: a primitive reptilian one, another inherited
from the lower mammals, and the really human one. These brains function more or less
autonomously. Consequently we, human
beings, see the world through two different lenses: a very primitive one which
has not evolved much from the brains of the snakes and the donkeys, and the
other thinking, reasoning, evolved brain. Unfortunately, the snake and the donkey inside
us insist on imposing their perceptions as the truths on us. The result is a form of schizophysiology and
the crude animal brain makes us delusional mass murderers.
 |
| Paul D. MacLean |
may be man is a product of some experiments carried out by aliens; experiments that went wrong
ReplyDeleteInterestingly, Koestler recommended a genetic mutation as a remedy for the error. But experiments at that level are more likely to go wrong!
DeleteThe only reason we divide is to rule/domesticate and it begins with the division of nature and culture.
ReplyDeleteVery true. The hunger for power is more demanding than the hunger for food. Power will bring everything else!
DeleteWe haven't progressed much from our primitive days. The quest for power can be explained partly by animal instincts and territorial behaviour. Problem also is social and cultural mores have often been manipulated by the powerful to keep a hold on the masses
ReplyDeleteI find myself agreeing with you on a lot of points, Lata, including the ones I read elsewhere. Probably, we think on similar wavelengths.
DeletePower motif is something that I have been working on for months now. I think power has become the basic drive now that poverty and hunger are not a serious problem for most. Even the religious people are trying to acquire power when they grab lands, show off mighty fan (devotee?) following, set us business empires... Power brings everything else.
Even culture, the way it is being manipulated today in India, is a tool for garnering more power.
Hmm, the donkey and the snake still rule the roost in most of mankind methinks after reading about Maclean's theory! A very interesting perspective that offers a perspective to justify the schizo physiological human behavior acting on a self-destruct mode!
ReplyDeleteMacLean's perspective can explain a lot of things easily. I'm not sure how far science has accepted the theory. But I find it explaining a lot of human behaviour. You too seem to find it equally acceptable.
DeleteKoestler's theory makes a lot of sense. The heart remained savage. That explains a lot, doesn't it?
ReplyDeleteThe theory is vindicated by observation whatever science may say about it.
DeleteThought provoking article!
ReplyDeleteNice to see you here after a long time, Uppal ji.
Delete"Nothing is more sad than the death of an illusion" I still remember this quote by Mr. Koestler. He words, often harsh do make a lot of sense. Wonderful Write up sir.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jig. We are still savages at heart, according to Koestler. Many people can't accept that, I guess.
Delete