2016 - complexity-violence nexus - Andreu Ginestet

Flourish Project - Understanding Human Violence, 2021

Human beings are social animals. We are shaped by our relationships to others and to our environments and we are biologically wired to reach out and learn from these interactions. The debate around whether we have a built-in predilection for violence, however, has raged among scholars for centuries, and the answer is far from a foregone conclusion. It seems that we all carry forward the evolutionary possibility for violence, but that whether or not this is fulfilled, or evolves instead into contribution and cooperation, depends upon our unique genetic dispositions and environmental experiences. Fundamentally, it is about the quality of our relationships – to our Selves, Others and the Natural World.

The Open Psychology Journal, 2015

Like all the phenomena that the human mind is knowledgeable about, the phenomenon of violence should be regarded as a complex macrosystem, where systems of networks and agents are linked and interact at different interconnected levels. This means that complexity refers to the phenomenon per se, to the various cognitive and emotional processes through which the human mind should examine and evaluate it and to the development of solutions to eradicate violence itself. It is clear that the complexity of these processes of examination and evaluation should be a requisite both of scientists and of laypeople. This does not mean that the scientist or the layperson should be knowledgeable about all the components and aspects of the macrosystem in their complex interconnections but that they should think and act on the grounds of their awareness of this complexity. One of the main issues relating to the study of violence is the definition of violence itself. In this respect, it is here sugge...

Pathways to Peace: The Transformative Power of Children and Families, 2014

This chapter examines the concept of peace from a biopsychosocial perspective. It reviews available knowledge concerning gene-environment regulatory interactions and their consequences for neurodevelopment, particularly during sensitive periods early in life. The hypothesis is explored that efforts on the part of parents to protect, nurture, and stimulate their children can lead to physically, psychologically, and socially healthier developmental trajectories and support the emergence of more peaceful families and communities. It is clear, however, that adverse environments, as in the context of structural violence, may result in lower parental investment in child rearing and negative outcomes for social harmony and health over the course of life. More research is thus needed to understand more fully the potential positive impact that interventions aimed at encouraging families to increase their investment in early child development will have on societal peace. The role of groups in shaping human behavior toward conflict or conflict resolution and peace is examined. Further research is needed to increase current understanding on the neurobiology of groups. In addition, steps need to be taken across multiple sectors of society to reduce all forms of direct and structural violence, as this will surely lead to “better” parenting behaviors, “better” childhood trajectories, and a model of fairness to guide interactions between groups.

2012

Generosity is supposed to be a related deeper turning point. An equivalent type of statement may be referred to solidarity. Homo Sapiens, as a species, are distinguished clearly from other species by their socio-cultural nature, drawing on a deep inner universe of cultural meanings and values which inform both individual and group behaviours. These meanings are created phenomenologically in the gestalt of consciousness, framed in the context of deep value-systems which shift as a result of psychological, biological (and existential) realities. Recent research has begun to uncover the complex waves and patterns associated with these shifts. They indicate a dynamically stable system which underpins human activity at the level of both the individual and the civilization. In this context, technology is a materialization of the culture of our civilization and its material nature as a cultural meaning needs exploration and understanding. On in this way can we begin to understand the trajectory (or multiple trajectories) of our current civilization, with all its new connectivities and disconnectivities mediated as they are through information and other technologies.

2012

Abstract The evolution and development of adaptations results from the gradual selection of traits that enable organisms to acquire and maintain resources needed for survival and reproduction. We argue that instances of individual, regional, and global violence are rooted in our adaptations to seek, acquire, maintain, and utilize limited resources, regardless of whether such adaptations are currently successful at doing so.

2011

2005

The End of War is a compact, yet compelling, read by John Horgan that provides the reasons behind conflict amongst human beings. His main arguments can be divided into three over-arching categories. First, Horgan points out that human genes overlap more with bonobos than chimpanzees. (pg. 39) This fact debunks the myth that humans are innately violent and establishes that it is the circumstances that lead to wars and conflicts. (pg. 95) Second, he asserts that war will end for scientific reasons but it ought to be ended for moral reasons. (pg. 19) Lastly, he points out that war is a choice humans make; therefore they are as likely to be peaceful as violent. This can be backed up by the finding that the origins of warfare only date back by 13000 years. (pg. 186) This illustrates that war has not been present since the origin of human existence. As such, "war is not something that happens to us.

Violence has significant impact on human health: it engenders suffering and harm, through death, disability, deprivation and through precarious livelihoods and compromised usage of health and social resources. It has significant impact on human society, bringing chaos, marginalization, and disorder in its wake but also resistance, resilience, and domination. Without doubt, violence poses a threat to human rights and to physical, emotional, and social wellbeing. There are, however, many different layers of violence that engender harm. Anthropologists raise important questions regarding which dimensions of violence are most salient in people's lives and which are structurally condoned and reproduced, as well as questions regarding how people articulate their suffering, negotiate conflict, manifest resilience, and strive for peace.