> If you succeeded in completely removing all aggression from the species, we would soon go extinct. Why? Because sabre tooth tigers would eat us? What does a

> If you succeeded in completely removing all aggression from the species, we would soon go extinct. Why? Because sabre tooth tigers would eat us? What does aggression even mean, in this context? When someone kicks a homeless person to death, that's aggression. If you step in, and become violent if necessary, is that aggression too in your mind? That's the first time I hear that. From Merriam-Webster: > 1. a forceful action or procedure (such as an unprovoked attack) especially when intended to dominate or master > 2. the practice of making attacks or encroachments; especially: unprovoked violation by one country of the territorial integrity of another > 3. hostile, injurious, or destructive behavior or outlook especially when caused by frustration What is that good for? You don't even need any of that to defend against any of it. Call it aggression or violence, saying it is needed because only it can defend against itself makes no sense. Just as the claim that we have these dark urges we need to somehow "channel" never really held water IMO, it just gets repeated because it comforts people in their complacency or even guilt.