As humans, we have such a brilliant method of cognition and reasoning to tackle any problem out there. Lets admit it – we have the best brains on the planet! The level of cognition allows us to rationalize about anything – politics, historical events, philosophy, blogging, going to the bathroom, etc.
The human race is classified scientifically as mammals. By definition, this means that we are warm-blooded, have a covering of hair on our skin, and if female able to give birth to young and produce milk. The classification of humans as mammals took place using one human’s cognitive ability to apply reason that he was indeed different from the animals he was sharing this very Earth with and through this reasoning applied further classification creating categories for human primates and non-human primates (animals). Based on this reasoning, we developed an easy to understand classification scheme that started to be adopted by all humans to the point of complete mindful integration.
This classification scheme is where the trouble begins. While classifications are good as it provides some sort of structure in terms of grouping like objects, it also shows how different we are from others. We can stand up and using our cognitive ability say why our Human Kingdom is so much better than the Animal Kingdom and provide a whole bunch of logical reasons to explain why – and the cool thing is that we can get away with it as there is no counter-argument by the animals since they look and act different from us, don’t know how to calculate and conduct abstract thinking, and we don’t even understand their language anyways – Woo hoo! We win!
But wait. According to the classification scheme that we created ourselves, we grouped humans along with other animals within this whole classification scheme. The mammal category includes such animals as dogs, cats, horses, whales, dolphins, lions, bats, and bears to name a few. What does this mean? If we are classified within this group doesn’t that mean that co-existence should be possible with these animals? But it is not, as animals don’t have the same cognitive ability of ours to, in a nutshell, be able to behave like us humans. This is why we are able to out-smart animals in the masses by having them do cool things like perform in a circus, Sea World show, bullfight, horse race, or simply be our pet in our home. Can animals do that to us humans?
Have you heard anything absurd in the masses of humans being trained by animals to perform in their domain? You can build the argument if you are out with your dog that “the dog is pulling me for a walk”, but no we say “I am talking the dog out for a walk.” We decide when this happens, for how long, and according to our terms. We humans are the ones in control, not the animal.
Its sad how over time, I hear stories of animals attacking their owner or trainer or jumping into the crowd and creating frenzy among spectators. In many cases, their situation is no different at the foundational level of us humans where we end up putting ourselves into our own controlled environment, within our own bodies, unable to free ourselves into our natural, peaceful, habitat in co-existence with other humans. The reasons why these trained animals attack may provide some context into why we humans attack:
- They have been displaced from their natural habitat of co-existence. The kingdom they belong to is the one that brings them the optimal level of peace as they are free to roam in a natural habitat without any restrictions.
- They have been placed in a controlled environment. They now have to perform routine acts to entertain people in an environment that is not part of their original DNA. They are locked up a cage at night. Their frustration grows.
- They have been falsely told what their duty is. They don’t have a choice of what to do. They can’t flee peacefully as they are continuously locked up – fighting is the only way.
- They have been physically and mentally abused by humans to behave a certain way. Mental torture and stress increases and the abuse adds up leading to a volcanic eruption in the form of violence.
If the above points didn’t exist, could it be that animals, in the wild, could cognitively make the decision of whether to attack or not? Could it be like these “captured” animals, that we humans have very much been controlled, displaced, and abused by humans increasing frustration and stress so we go on an attack against each other? I have seen and heard stories in the masses of humans swimming with sea creatures in the wild, scuba diving with alligators in the wild, cars roaming through a safari park in the wild without any animal attack to name a few. It seems as if looking at things in the wild allows both the Human Kingdom and Animal Kingdom to realize that while they are different, they can co-exist.
The difference between being in a natural environment free from controlling mechanisms, and a controlled environment is that it some how influences our ego and cognitive ability to reason. The breath and depth of cognition varies, but what is is evident is that there are more valid reasons not to attack when you are in a peaceful, natural, uncontrolled environment – and this is something we all must work to create.