Peace: The Way Ahead

If we persist with the biological perspective, thinking of the human race only as a species, then the prospects for permanent, universal and lasting peace are hopeless. They are hopeless because every significant human advance is accomplished by adapting what we observe from nature. Because we are the only species that displays such self-destructive characteristics in all of nature we can also find no example in which such self-destructive behavior in a species has been overcome, and from which we can learn.

Fortunately, we have discovered the systems perspective. The human race is not the only system that displays such self-destructive behavior. Among living systems, millions of such examples exist in nature. It is here that the true genius of human nature can be applied to our best advantage. Even though nature contains millions of examples of living systems that inexplicably turn on themselves nature has been unable to find a cure. Fortunately, our unique ability to pretend on which our scientific exploits are founded can be quite handy in this case. Before we look at what we have learned from these self-destructive living systems let us take a small look at our ability to pretend.

How do we pretend?
It is unfortunate that pretence is often confused with deceit. Pretence is such a vital aspect of our existence that we have come up with a variety of ways to describe it. Here is a short list of positive ways in which we express our ability to pretend: Imagine; what if; suppose; for instance; for example; assuming that; in the event that. In each case the individual is being asked to pretend that something that does not exist at that moment or in that place actually does exist. She is being asked to find a solution for a situation that would exist only in her mind. In a more structured format this is what experimental scientists do.
Animals cannot do this. Animals instinctively do what their DNA dictates; this is true even for animals like the mockingbird that tries to sound like other birds.

Problems with Pretence
Science has shown the power of pretence, but just as pretence can be used to deceive another it can often result in one deceiving himself. Because the mind does not differentiate between what we are and what we are pretending to be we can sometimes convince ourselves that we are what we are not. Sometimes that can be to our advantage and other times it can retard our development.