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On Aggression
Konrad Lorenz was the author of some of the most popular books ever published about animals, including the best-selling Man Meets Dog and King Solomon's Ring. On Aggression is one of his finest works, as well as the most controversial. Through an insightful and characteristically entertaining survey of animal behaviour, the Nobel Prize winner tracks the evolution of aggression throughout the animal world. He also raises some startling questions when he applies his observations of animal psychology to humankind. His conclusions caused an unprecedented controversy, culminating in a statement adopted by UNESCO in 1989 which appeared to condemn his work. Whether or not Lorenz actually claimed aggression is hard-wired into the human psyche, and that war is an inevitable result, is something readers can decide upon for themselves. However you react, there can be no doubting that in today's violent world this powerful work remains of paramount importance.
324 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1963
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4741 people want to read
About the author
Konrad Lorenz
120 books230 followersKonrad Zacharias Lorenz was an Austrian zoologist, ethologist, and ornithologist. He shared the 1973 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with Nikolaas Tinbergen and Karl von Frisch. He is often regarded as one of the founders of modern ethology, developing an approach that began with an earlier generation, including his teacher Oskar Heinroth.
Lorenz studied instinctive behavior in animals, especially in greylag geese and jackdaws. Working with geese, he investigated the principle of imprinting, the process by which some nidifugous birds (i.e. birds that leave their nest early) bond instinctively with the first moving object that they see within the first hours of hatching. Although Lorenz did not discover the topic, he became widely known for his descriptions of imprinting as an instinctive bond. In 1936 he met Dutch biologist Nikolaas Tinbergen, and the two collaborated in developing ethology as a separate sub-discipline of biology. A Review of General Psychology survey, published in 2002, ranked Lorenz as the 65th most cited scholar of the 20th century in the technical psychology journals, introductory psychology textbooks, and survey responses.
Lorenz studied instinctive behavior in animals, especially in greylag geese and jackdaws. Working with geese, he investigated the principle of imprinting, the process by which some nidifugous birds (i.e. birds that leave their nest early) bond instinctively with the first moving object that they see within the first hours of hatching. Although Lorenz did not discover the topic, he became widely known for his descriptions of imprinting as an instinctive bond. In 1936 he met Dutch biologist Nikolaas Tinbergen, and the two collaborated in developing ethology as a separate sub-discipline of biology. A Review of General Psychology survey, published in 2002, ranked Lorenz as the 65th most cited scholar of the 20th century in the technical psychology journals, introductory psychology textbooks, and survey responses.
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December 26, 2016
دوستانِ گرانقدر، <لورنز> در این کتاب به مسائل روانشناسی انسان و همچنین بررسی رفتارهای حیوانی و تئوری های غریزه و توارثِ غریزه هایِ حیوانی پرداخته است
اگر شما عزیزان با کتابها و نوشته هایِ زنده یاد <فروید> آشنایی داشته باشید، از خواندنِ این دسته از کتابها بسیار دلزده میشوید. چراکه به عنوانِ مثال در این کتاب هیچ بینشِ تازه و با ارزشی در زمینهٔ مسائلِ خاصِ انسانها، آنطور که <فروید> عرضه داشته است، به بازار و اجتماع آورده نشده است
میتوان گفت که این نویسنده، کسانی را به آرزویِ خود میرساند که میخواهند به خود، به عنوانِ انسانی نگاه کنند که غرایزشان مبین و آشکارکنندهٔ رفتارشان باشد و بدین ترتیب بر رویِ مسائل حقیقی و پر دردسرِ انسانیِ خویش، سرپوش بگذارند
------------------------------------------------
امیدوارم مفید بوده باشه
<پیروز باشید و ایرانی>
اگر شما عزیزان با کتابها و نوشته هایِ زنده یاد <فروید> آشنایی داشته باشید، از خواندنِ این دسته از کتابها بسیار دلزده میشوید. چراکه به عنوانِ مثال در این کتاب هیچ بینشِ تازه و با ارزشی در زمینهٔ مسائلِ خاصِ انسانها، آنطور که <فروید> عرضه داشته است، به بازار و اجتماع آورده نشده است
میتوان گفت که این نویسنده، کسانی را به آرزویِ خود میرساند که میخواهند به خود، به عنوانِ انسانی نگاه کنند که غرایزشان مبین و آشکارکنندهٔ رفتارشان باشد و بدین ترتیب بر رویِ مسائل حقیقی و پر دردسرِ انسانیِ خویش، سرپوش بگذارند
------------------------------------------------
امیدوارم مفید بوده باشه
<پیروز باشید و ایرانی>
January 23, 2010
This book was written around 50 years ago. It may be one of the earlier solid attempts in sociobiology and evolutionary psychology. The subject of the book is aggression. Aggression, which is between the members of the same species, should not be confused with the predatory behavior towards the members of other species. Lorenz, one of founders of ethology, presents a detailed treatment of aggression in animals and the purposes that it serves. Then he moves on to humans. The implication is that aggression is hard-wired in us, and we’d better acknowledge this fact and find ways to mitigate it if we want to prevent it from igniting wars. The fact that Lorenz was a member of the Nazi party and supported their ideas of racial purity doesn’t help when he talks about aggression and human nature. From what I read in the book, the man who wrote this book is not the same man who was a member of the Nazi party. Regardless of his politics and what he says about human societies, this book is a great read on animal behavior. Read it for some really fascinating tales on geese and ganders. I never thought these birds were so interesting.
March 14, 2016
Lorenz, a famous ethologist and a somewhat controversial figure for his ideas, proposes that human beings, like most of other vertebrates, are inherently aggressive and this aggression is triggered by a variety of situations. Therefore, if we understand the instinctual behavior patterns in animals, we can explain a thing or two about human behavior too.
Now, this is a wonderful book. I learned about the gorgeous and aggressive coral fish, geese, rats and many amazing things about other animals. Its not until the last three chapters that he properly presents his thesis, and It wasn't convincing enough. I think aggression in humans is slightly a more complex phenomenon then in vertebrates. Our society, behaviors and drives are more intricate and cannot be explained in this context. Neuroscience and Behavioral psychology have a better chance of explaining that, but as far as Greylag goose and Cichlid are concerned, Lorenz is very adept at explaining their social hierarchies and their rites and rituals.
Now, this is a wonderful book. I learned about the gorgeous and aggressive coral fish, geese, rats and many amazing things about other animals. Its not until the last three chapters that he properly presents his thesis, and It wasn't convincing enough. I think aggression in humans is slightly a more complex phenomenon then in vertebrates. Our society, behaviors and drives are more intricate and cannot be explained in this context. Neuroscience and Behavioral psychology have a better chance of explaining that, but as far as Greylag goose and Cichlid are concerned, Lorenz is very adept at explaining their social hierarchies and their rites and rituals.
August 8, 2008
The author was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize for this book. It looks at the functional nature of aggression as it is found in nature in animal populations and explains much of human behavior in the context of its natural root in any society or group. It is fairly easy to read in the first few chapters, and then I experienced some interest doldrums which I am currently stuck in. However, it has so much applicable information in the first few chapters that regardless of what is left for me to read, I highly recommend it. I feel that much of our society is hell-bent on turning our society into a bunch of gutless, passive wimps. What I have read in this book explains that aggression is a naturally occurring phenomenon and that it even has some functionality. Obviously aggression can be overdone and be inappropriate in a systemic or individual basis, but it does have a role in establishing order. For me, more than anything it has been a thought provoking read.
June 25, 2022
'We are stardust. We are golden, and we've got to get ourselves back to the garden."---Joni Mitchell. Sorry, folks, it ain't gonna happen. Konrad Lorenz, a Noble Prize winner and authority on zoology (including us humans) argues, a la' Nietzsche, that the struggle to survive and triumph is built into the DNA of all living creatures. (Do not, under any circumstances, take a chimpanzee for a pet. They are vicious critters, particularly out of the wild.) The documentation he presents ranges from finches and salmon to warring tribes in very small places, from the Eskimo in the Great White North to the mountain peoples of Papua New Guinea. Does this mean DNA is destiny? Nein! We can contain and channel aggression to raise what Lincoln called "the better angels of our nature". First, however, we must give up the illusion, found among both religious folk and secular humanists, (think Rousseau) that we are peaceful creatures corrupted by civilization.
July 17, 2008
Behavior is not excused or justified but can be explained. Human behavior is no different. Auschwitz is not a German problem, any more than Wounded Knee or the Little Big Horn white or Indian problems. Until we learn to accept the fact that these are human problems we will continue to rationalize the fact that we are dangerous predators and unlike a shark are fully aware of that fact, and choose to ignore it.
January 23, 2012
I've know about Lorenz since I was a little boy. I remember that when he died, in 1989, the portuguese TV reminded his name in a TV documentary of some episodes about the life of the man that could made little goslings walk beside him and everyone feel fascinated by those pictures.
I've heard about is ideas on human behaviour some years after that and I reminded curious about the observations he have made about them, some like: the intraspecific competition and the way the aggression first appeared on evolution as a way to set the places in which each member of a species has its own 'vital place' (or territory, as you prefer to call it). From that, he starts to develop his thesis, giving examples about animals (starting with the fish the coral reefs), never forgetting to retouch here and there the human species. Lorenz make some paragraphs in the middle of its descriptions about animal behaviour examples just to compare the last example with some special case with the human race that looks very similar. I don't know if some examples he gives could be applied immediately to our species. I don't know.
You can read this book as a species of manifesto or a sermon . I don't forget the way he finishes the chapter four:
The title of the chapter six- "The Great Parliament of Instincts" is another slogan that I won't forget too. Of course the best of all chapters is the chapter eleven - "The bond" - where he describes goose life stories almost as they were human beings (which is very curious - because Lorenz sometimes says that the "anthropomorphizing reader" should took care in order to not interpret in a "human way" the examples done).
Some people will feel that only the three final chapters matter - the ones in which he describes the risks posed by the human race. He specially gives special attention into the "militant manifest". I heard about the potential connections between Lorenz and the Nazism that the could a initial supporter of this ideology, giving up later. Try to make your own conclusions knowing that and the condemnation of the so-called "millitant manifest". Strange, don't you think. Anyway, Lorenz never confirmed he supported Nazism in any period of his life. Just vilification !?
Anyway, I recommend the book for anyone that would like to know more about Lorenz work, the greylag goose life and just for the literary style, it deserves a read!
P.S.: just to know that I owned geese for some years ago (now I don't have anymore) and after I read this book I felt nostalgic and started to remember all of special episodes I had about that experience. I wish one day I would own geese again!
I've heard about is ideas on human behaviour some years after that and I reminded curious about the observations he have made about them, some like: the intraspecific competition and the way the aggression first appeared on evolution as a way to set the places in which each member of a species has its own 'vital place' (or territory, as you prefer to call it). From that, he starts to develop his thesis, giving examples about animals (starting with the fish the coral reefs), never forgetting to retouch here and there the human species. Lorenz make some paragraphs in the middle of its descriptions about animal behaviour examples just to compare the last example with some special case with the human race that looks very similar. I don't know if some examples he gives could be applied immediately to our species. I don't know.
You can read this book as a species of manifesto or a sermon . I don't forget the way he finishes the chapter four:
" As we shall hear later , this expedients often resorted to in nature to prevent the injurious effects of aggression . But the human being without insight has been known to kill his friend.
"
The title of the chapter six- "The Great Parliament of Instincts" is another slogan that I won't forget too. Of course the best of all chapters is the chapter eleven - "The bond" - where he describes goose life stories almost as they were human beings (which is very curious - because Lorenz sometimes says that the "anthropomorphizing reader" should took care in order to not interpret in a "human way" the examples done).
Some people will feel that only the three final chapters matter - the ones in which he describes the risks posed by the human race. He specially gives special attention into the "militant manifest". I heard about the potential connections between Lorenz and the Nazism that the could a initial supporter of this ideology, giving up later. Try to make your own conclusions knowing that and the condemnation of the so-called "millitant manifest". Strange, don't you think. Anyway, Lorenz never confirmed he supported Nazism in any period of his life. Just vilification !?
Anyway, I recommend the book for anyone that would like to know more about Lorenz work, the greylag goose life and just for the literary style, it deserves a read!
P.S.: just to know that I owned geese for some years ago (now I don't have anymore) and after I read this book I felt nostalgic and started to remember all of special episodes I had about that experience. I wish one day I would own geese again!
September 22, 2020
Die Beobachtungen und Schlussfolgerungen, hauptsächlich aus dem Tierreich, die Lorenz hier schildert, sind sehr interessant. Worin liegt die Funktion der Aggression? Welche verschiedenen Mechanismen kann man unterscheiden? Und wie geht die Natur mit ihrer "Bewältigung" um? In den letzten Kapiteln überträgt er dies dann auf den Menschen und wie wir in unserer Gesellschaft mit dem Problem der Aggression umgehen können.
Dabei dominiert der Part über die Tiere deutlich - und dieser erscheint auch besser, ist es doch Lorenz Paradedisziplin. Seine Beobachtungen zu Fischen, Gänsen und Ratten sind mit viel Kenntnis und Detailliebe erzählt. Der Übertrag auf den Menschen fällt dann sehr pauschalisierend und oberflächlich aus, jedenfalls zu knapp für unser kompliziertes gesellschaftliches Gefüge. Es fanden sich hier trotzdem interessante Ansätze, die aber mehr Ausführung bedurft hätten, um wirklich standfest zu sein. Dabei ist er recht ausschweifend und machmal schwafelig - das Buch wäre kürzer und prägnanter deutlich besser gewesen. Manchmal gehen wichtige Thesen fast im Text unter.
Auch sind - vielleicht dem Alter des Buches geschuldet - einige Aussagen oder Wortwahl einfach nicht mehr zeitgemäß, hier z.B. bezogen auf die Beschreibung von Homosexualität.
Dabei dominiert der Part über die Tiere deutlich - und dieser erscheint auch besser, ist es doch Lorenz Paradedisziplin. Seine Beobachtungen zu Fischen, Gänsen und Ratten sind mit viel Kenntnis und Detailliebe erzählt. Der Übertrag auf den Menschen fällt dann sehr pauschalisierend und oberflächlich aus, jedenfalls zu knapp für unser kompliziertes gesellschaftliches Gefüge. Es fanden sich hier trotzdem interessante Ansätze, die aber mehr Ausführung bedurft hätten, um wirklich standfest zu sein. Dabei ist er recht ausschweifend und machmal schwafelig - das Buch wäre kürzer und prägnanter deutlich besser gewesen. Manchmal gehen wichtige Thesen fast im Text unter.
Auch sind - vielleicht dem Alter des Buches geschuldet - einige Aussagen oder Wortwahl einfach nicht mehr zeitgemäß, hier z.B. bezogen auf die Beschreibung von Homosexualität.
July 19, 2014
There was a lot of racism here, as well as classism and sexism. The author's thought processes often seemed incomplete and were difficult to follow. Many of the chapters contained very little of the content their titles led me to expect. It felt as though the author was trying to cover too much, and as a result many of the topics that I did find interesting never received enough detail. I also wonder how much of the information and speculation about non-human animal behaviour in this book is accurate, and how much of it was the author projecting his own worldview onto other species.
July 17, 2023
Kuulsa etoloogi, kelle kummikutest on kuulnud iga psühholoogiatudeng, kirjutised liigisisesest agressiivsusest kaladel, lindudel ja imetajatel kenasti populaarteaduslikku vormi valatuna.
“Selles peitub hea ja kurja tundmise puu sümboolika sügav tõde. Inimesed ajas paradiisist välja tunnetus, mis johtus mõistelisest mõtlemisest. Nad järgisid kõhklusteta oma instinkte ning tegid seda ja jätsid tegemata selle, milleks neil lusti on. Mõistelisest mõtlemisest lähtuv keskkonnaga dialoogi vormis eksperimenteerimine kinkis neile esimesed tööriistad: pihukirve ja tule. Nad kasutasid neid otsekohe selleks, et oma vend maha lüüa ja ära grillida, nagu on näidanud leiud Pekingi inimese elukohtades.”
P.S. Kui oled harjunud eessõnu ehk saatesõnu lugema, siis selle soovitan vahele jätta. Küll aga on järelsõna igati lugemist väärt.
“Selles peitub hea ja kurja tundmise puu sümboolika sügav tõde. Inimesed ajas paradiisist välja tunnetus, mis johtus mõistelisest mõtlemisest. Nad järgisid kõhklusteta oma instinkte ning tegid seda ja jätsid tegemata selle, milleks neil lusti on. Mõistelisest mõtlemisest lähtuv keskkonnaga dialoogi vormis eksperimenteerimine kinkis neile esimesed tööriistad: pihukirve ja tule. Nad kasutasid neid otsekohe selleks, et oma vend maha lüüa ja ära grillida, nagu on näidanud leiud Pekingi inimese elukohtades.”
P.S. Kui oled harjunud eessõnu ehk saatesõnu lugema, siis selle soovitan vahele jätta. Küll aga on järelsõna igati lugemist väärt.
August 20, 2020
Книжка написана 50 років тому, але вона не є застарілою. Єдиний недолік в тому, що постійно йдеться про груповий добір. А, як відомо зараз, добір відбувається на рівні генів. Думаю, такі погляди панували в часи Лоренца, але зараз треба робити на це поправку.
Спершу автор розповідає про те, як і навіщо працює агресія у різних видів тварин, які механізми її гальмування. А потім починається найцікавіше – він переносить це все на людей і розповідає, як уникнути війн. Всі ідеї ілюструються конкретними прикладами.
Цікаво, що агресія, як і будь-який інстинкт, породжується внутрішніми стимулами. Зовнішні подразники тільки направляють її. Тому навіть якщо прибрати всі подразнюючі чинники, агресія нікуди не зникне.
Зі зростанням агресивності у тварин з’являється особисте розпізнавання. А відтак особиста дружба і любов. Якщо тварина виявляє територіальну і нетериторіальну поведінку, то будь-які особистісні зв’язки можливі лише в територіальний період. Не можна прибирати агресію (навіть якби в нас з’явилися інструменти, щоб це зробити), бо тоді зникне і дружба з любов’ю.
Вбивати тварин свого виду недобре, еге ж? Інакше в змаганнях за самку і територію всі одне одного повбивали би. А для збереження виду це не вигідно. Тому виникає ритуалізація. Перш ніж вступити в справжню бійку, тварини міряються ротами/штовхаються рогами/етс. В будь-який момент слабший може відступити і уникнути серйозних пошкоджень. Так каже Конрад Лоренц. Але відбір іде не на рівні виду, отже, причина інша. Так чи інакше, ритуалізація існує і працює добре.
В добре озброєних тварин, які можуть випадково вбити тварину свого розміру, безвідмовно працюють механізми гальмування агресії. Якщо галка визнає поразку, вона повертається світлою потилицею до суперника, і він ніколи не дзьобне її туди. В людей такий механізм не працює, бо ми не маємо серйозної вродженої зброї. Нема потреби гальмувати. Але з появою інструментів з’явилися усні заборони на вбивство. Можливо, з часом мораль набуде генетичного підтексту. Ми ж розвиваємося, чого там.
Тим часом ми можемо знаходити розрядку агресії в іншому. В цихлід і в гусей гальмування так і працює. Збудником агресії може бути партнер. Але удар завжди йде трошки вбік, наприклад на камінець, що лежить поруч. В нас замінником може бути змагання в будь-якій галузі.
Також для вивільнення агресії підходить спорт. Ще агресію приглушує особисте знайомство (тут подумала, чи знають про це в Еразмусі, ага. Бо тут міжнаціональне знайомство справді корисно). Коротше, варіанти є, людство не приречене.
Спершу автор розповідає про те, як і навіщо працює агресія у різних видів тварин, які механізми її гальмування. А потім починається найцікавіше – він переносить це все на людей і розповідає, як уникнути війн. Всі ідеї ілюструються конкретними прикладами.
Цікаво, що агресія, як і будь-який інстинкт, породжується внутрішніми стимулами. Зовнішні подразники тільки направляють її. Тому навіть якщо прибрати всі подразнюючі чинники, агресія нікуди не зникне.
Зі зростанням агресивності у тварин з’являється особисте розпізнавання. А відтак особиста дружба і любов. Якщо тварина виявляє територіальну і нетериторіальну поведінку, то будь-які особистісні зв’язки можливі лише в територіальний період. Не можна прибирати агресію (навіть якби в нас з’явилися інструменти, щоб це зробити), бо тоді зникне і дружба з любов’ю.
Вбивати тварин свого виду недобре, еге ж? Інакше в змаганнях за самку і територію всі одне одного повбивали би. А для збереження виду це не вигідно. Тому виникає ритуалізація. Перш ніж вступити в справжню бійку, тварини міряються ротами/штовхаються рогами/етс. В будь-який момент слабший може відступити і уникнути серйозних пошкоджень. Так каже Конрад Лоренц. Але відбір іде не на рівні виду, отже, причина інша. Так чи інакше, ритуалізація існує і працює добре.
В добре озброєних тварин, які можуть випадково вбити тварину свого розміру, безвідмовно працюють механізми гальмування агресії. Якщо галка визнає поразку, вона повертається світлою потилицею до суперника, і він ніколи не дзьобне її туди. В людей такий механізм не працює, бо ми не маємо серйозної вродженої зброї. Нема потреби гальмувати. Але з появою інструментів з’явилися усні заборони на вбивство. Можливо, з часом мораль набуде генетичного підтексту. Ми ж розвиваємося, чого там.
Тим часом ми можемо знаходити розрядку агресії в іншому. В цихлід і в гусей гальмування так і працює. Збудником агресії може бути партнер. Але удар завжди йде трошки вбік, наприклад на камінець, що лежить поруч. В нас замінником може бути змагання в будь-якій галузі.
Також для вивільнення агресії підходить спорт. Ще агресію приглушує особисте знайомство (тут подумала, чи знають про це в Еразмусі, ага. Бо тут міжнаціональне знайомство справді корисно). Коротше, варіанти є, людство не приречене.
April 15, 2024
Konrad Lorenz proposed in “On Aggression” the theory that the violence is something good and necessary for all the animals. Self-defense would be the reason why species have developed this mechanism of behavior over the centuries. Unfortunately, Lorenz had a big knowledge about animals, but he did not understand this matter in all its complexity. Erich Fromm, in his book “The Anatomy of Human Destructiveness”, made a total critique of the theories that Lorenz proposed in“On Aggression”. Although I think that Fromm's book is questionable in several aspects, what also seems certain to me is that his critiques against Lorenz are correct.
Fromm realized that Lorenz didn't see that in the humans (and in other species) there are other types of aggression, in addition to the defensive. When soldiers of an army, with imperialist intentions, invade a country that is not their country, they do not use a defensive violence. The aggressiveness of a serial killer is criminal and evil. Policemen and mercenaries on the pay of a political dictator, do not use violence for defensive purposes, but to terrorize and dominate the citizens of a country. The aggressiveness of animals is much more complex than Lorenz thought. It is very difficult to understand this subject by studying only ducks and rats. To understand it, it is necessary to study, in addition, history, psychology and religion.
Richard Dawkins is another writer who, in his book “The Selfish Gene”, has made critics to Lorenz's positive vision of violence postulated in “On Aggression”.
Fromm realized that Lorenz didn't see that in the humans (and in other species) there are other types of aggression, in addition to the defensive. When soldiers of an army, with imperialist intentions, invade a country that is not their country, they do not use a defensive violence. The aggressiveness of a serial killer is criminal and evil. Policemen and mercenaries on the pay of a political dictator, do not use violence for defensive purposes, but to terrorize and dominate the citizens of a country. The aggressiveness of animals is much more complex than Lorenz thought. It is very difficult to understand this subject by studying only ducks and rats. To understand it, it is necessary to study, in addition, history, psychology and religion.
Richard Dawkins is another writer who, in his book “The Selfish Gene”, has made critics to Lorenz's positive vision of violence postulated in “On Aggression”.
September 6, 2019
Прекрасная книга, которая отмывает репутацию агрессии, как чего-то недостойного, вместо это подчёркивая её важность для установления прочных социальных связей, формирования ритуалов, общностей и в целом для эволюции индивида с её новыми ветками и карго-тупиками. Она не недостаток - она драйвер, педаль газа, которую стоит осознать, чтобы двигаться в нужном направлении, а не в столб, не забывая притормаживать на резких поворотах и не увлекаясь "даванием в тапок".
Тему Лоренц, в основном, раскрывает на обитателях океанских глубин, так и на крысах и на наземных пернатых. Упоминаются и мы, человеки, как на данный момент самая совершенная конструкция эволюция, но венец ли её?
Стиль и манера изложения более сложны и менее рефлекторны чем в "Человек находит друга" за его же авторством. Это не размышления (кроме, пожалуй, последней главы) и это не научпоп. Гораздо больше это напоминает университетский учебник по нишевому курсу. Читать местами сложновато, скользить взглядом по строкам не получается. Но внимательное чтение окупается интересными фактами и наблюдениями автора.
Если говорить о то что хотелось бы выделить, то идеальные в своей инфраструктуре тусовки рыбок на коралловых рифов - это, конечно, занимательно. Не менее интересно социальное устройство и жизнь крыс с её нежностью и жестокостью. Но ничто, ничто не сравнится по увлекательность с семейно-сексуально-половой сагой гусей. Вся это сложносплетённая моно- и полигамия, приправленная крепкой гусиной дружбой и триумфальными криками даст серьёзную фору любой "Санта-Барбаре" и "Игре Престолов".
Тему Лоренц, в основном, раскрывает на обитателях океанских глубин, так и на крысах и на наземных пернатых. Упоминаются и мы, человеки, как на данный момент самая совершенная конструкция эволюция, но венец ли её?
Стиль и манера изложения более сложны и менее рефлекторны чем в "Человек находит друга" за его же авторством. Это не размышления (кроме, пожалуй, последней главы) и это не научпоп. Гораздо больше это напоминает университетский учебник по нишевому курсу. Читать местами сложновато, скользить взглядом по строкам не получается. Но внимательное чтение окупается интересными фактами и наблюдениями автора.
Если говорить о то что хотелось бы выделить, то идеальные в своей инфраструктуре тусовки рыбок на коралловых рифов - это, конечно, занимательно. Не менее интересно социальное устройство и жизнь крыс с её нежностью и жестокостью. Но ничто, ничто не сравнится по увлекательность с семейно-сексуально-половой сагой гусей. Вся это сложносплетённая моно- и полигамия, приправленная крепкой гусиной дружбой и триумфальными криками даст серьёзную фору любой "Санта-Барбаре" и "Игре Престолов".
November 24, 2019
Чудова науково-популярна книга про поведінку тварин з акцентом на агресію. Достатньо наукової аргументації, багато цікавих прикладів із досліджень, дрібка доброго гумору. Попри це написано доступно і вельми цікаво. Нагадаю,що автор - нобелівський лауреат
February 2, 2022
Очень интересно, хотя читается непросто из-за подачи информации в научном стиле.
Для того, чтобы объяснить роль агрессии в жизни человечества, автор начинает с разбора проявлений агрессии у рыбок и постепенно двигается к примерам других животных. О большинстве описанных инстинктивных закономерностей поведения животных я никогда не знала. И никогда не знала КАК сложно всё устроено природой. Восхищение!
Главная мысль, которую я вынесла — агрессию нельзя выключить и не стоит пытаться подавить моралью. Она будет в любом случае, так уж мы устроены природой.
Альтернативными выходами является переориентация, особенно в спорт, личные знакомства с «другими» (рассами, веровениями, чем угодно, где мы проводим черту между «мы» и «они»), культивирование у индивида большого числа разнообразных ценностей (версус малого числа по типу «я гражданин такой-то страны», «я христианин» и т.п.), через которые он мог обобщиться с другими разными людьми.
К моему сожалению, в этой книге не рассматривается противоположная проблематика, как справится с чрезмерным торможением агрессии и наоборот выводить её больше. Но видимо это область изучения психологов, а не этологов, к которым принадлежит автор 😊
Книга супер.
Для того, чтобы объяснить роль агрессии в жизни человечества, автор начинает с разбора проявлений агрессии у рыбок и постепенно двигается к примерам других животных. О большинстве описанных инстинктивных закономерностей поведения животных я никогда не знала. И никогда не знала КАК сложно всё устроено природой. Восхищение!
Главная мысль, которую я вынесла — агрессию нельзя выключить и не стоит пытаться подавить моралью. Она будет в любом случае, так уж мы устроены природой.
Альтернативными выходами является переориентация, особенно в спорт, личные знакомства с «другими» (рассами, веровениями, чем угодно, где мы проводим черту между «мы» и «они»), культивирование у индивида большого числа разнообразных ценностей (версус малого числа по типу «я гражданин такой-то страны», «я христианин» и т.п.), через которые он мог обобщиться с другими разными людьми.
К моему сожалению, в этой книге не рассматривается противоположная проблематика, как справится с чрезмерным торможением агрессии и наоборот выводить её больше. Но видимо это область изучения психологов, а не этологов, к которым принадлежит автор 😊
Книга супер.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 27, 2018
Great book. I started it two years ago, I felt it a bit slow, so I moved on to something else.
A few weeks ago It caught my attention again, I want to think it's me who has changed a lot in that time, because somehow the book was now incredibly interesting.
Konrad Lorenz's sense of humor and witty jokes make this book very enjoyable. The few final chapters were my favorite.
A few weeks ago It caught my attention again, I want to think it's me who has changed a lot in that time, because somehow the book was now incredibly interesting.
Konrad Lorenz's sense of humor and witty jokes make this book very enjoyable. The few final chapters were my favorite.
March 26, 2018
This book is a gateway into evolutionary biology. It takes the universal animal "condition" of aggression, a facet of the fight or flight response, that has over time become refined by social rituals and "cultures" of behaviors, and goes full-blown behavior-study-analysis into how this could occur, and further extrapolates what this means for humankind, having evolved from "lesser" (lower-tiered among certain strata) animals. The definition of aggression is important to get right here: Lorenz sees it as the fight of "fight of flight," but that fight can be and often is channeled into other outlets that signal other types of interactive behavior, such as mating rituals and pair bonding.
Lorenz's writing is lucid and on point with every beautiful detail. As an expert ethologist (he studies animal behavior) he does not miss a detail, from the slightest neck movement of a greylag goose to the angular direction of movement of a cichlid. As in observing people, it is not the what they say that reveal their realities, but the subtle cues of how they act. Any good psychologist knows this. Lorenz, in observing animals, digs even deeper. He often refers to Kant, citing what biological "mechanisms" must underly his a priori categories as necessary generational developments borne out of evolution. It is in these areas that our vocabulary obscures what is the heart of the matter--the disciplines at the time this book was written, and still today, lack the language necessary for elucidating processes of multi-generational biological emergences. Lorenz's genius in writing is his ability to communicate these things in a way that readers can digest.
There is a lot of tediously observed and tested behavioral science in this book, but it hardly ever gets boring. Each chapter opens up a whole new layer and shines with an enthusiasm for life as it is expressed in all sorts of living things. This infectious enthusiasm, combined with revelatory insights into evolutionary biology in every chapter, gives the book a storylike progression. Eventaully, Lorenz applies everything he's unraveled to human beings, unwrapping the social world with such a refreshing perspective that your attention is challenged by the suspense of "getting the answers" to how this all works inside of and all around you. Yet, the book is taken best at a slow pace, because there is a lot of insight in it, and unless you have primed yourself in animal observation well beforehand, it is almost too much to take in. Evolutionary biology t is a deep, labrynthine rabbit hole to explore.
Each chapter could be taken in alone as a mind-blowing essay that is still as fresh today as it must have been in 1972 (albeit more controversial back then). There are challenges that Lorenz makes to standard assumptions that still linger today. They basically are the aspects of biology that brush up against the outcomes (though not the opportunities) of social idealism. It is important to keep in mind that this book is a scientist's observations, and that Lorenz is aware of such charges he will evoke. The book is offered as an insight into human nature, and on the premise of "know thyself," because only once we do can we take control and responsibility for who we are--and who we are (as a species, alive today, with ancestors that go back way longer than we can account for) is mind-bogglingly complicated. Taking our distant cousins (other species) as models from which we can learn about ourselves is a genius idea. Life, after all, is hard to argue. Life is something we can intuitively know, so much as we look into the eyes of a deer or a dog and look into the window of its soul. We see it grow up from birth, get old, and pass on, and we know that it is alive, just like us.
Lorenz is a truth-seeker, an admirer of beauty, an advocate of the method of science, a humanitarian, an expert in his field, and a gifter teacher. Science, done earnestly and prudently, cannot eradicate beauty, but merely plunges its dedicated followers (or tool-users, if you will) into a more and more deeply comlex and beautiful world. Is science self-eradicating? Possibly. Does it requre a humble soul to use it? Certainly. What remains of Lorenz's research is an eternal awe of the animals he loved, and the echoes of how much we are part of that kingdom of life, no matter how much we try to moralize and abstract ourselves out of it. This sometimes is a hard pill to swallow. In the end, it is the irrefutable basis for all future morality and abstraction, and source of who we are.
Addendum: I am eager to read more Lorenz, and having just stumbled upon him on YouTube, learn more about what's going on in the world of evolutionary biology today through Bret Weinstein.
Lorenz's writing is lucid and on point with every beautiful detail. As an expert ethologist (he studies animal behavior) he does not miss a detail, from the slightest neck movement of a greylag goose to the angular direction of movement of a cichlid. As in observing people, it is not the what they say that reveal their realities, but the subtle cues of how they act. Any good psychologist knows this. Lorenz, in observing animals, digs even deeper. He often refers to Kant, citing what biological "mechanisms" must underly his a priori categories as necessary generational developments borne out of evolution. It is in these areas that our vocabulary obscures what is the heart of the matter--the disciplines at the time this book was written, and still today, lack the language necessary for elucidating processes of multi-generational biological emergences. Lorenz's genius in writing is his ability to communicate these things in a way that readers can digest.
There is a lot of tediously observed and tested behavioral science in this book, but it hardly ever gets boring. Each chapter opens up a whole new layer and shines with an enthusiasm for life as it is expressed in all sorts of living things. This infectious enthusiasm, combined with revelatory insights into evolutionary biology in every chapter, gives the book a storylike progression. Eventaully, Lorenz applies everything he's unraveled to human beings, unwrapping the social world with such a refreshing perspective that your attention is challenged by the suspense of "getting the answers" to how this all works inside of and all around you. Yet, the book is taken best at a slow pace, because there is a lot of insight in it, and unless you have primed yourself in animal observation well beforehand, it is almost too much to take in. Evolutionary biology t is a deep, labrynthine rabbit hole to explore.
Each chapter could be taken in alone as a mind-blowing essay that is still as fresh today as it must have been in 1972 (albeit more controversial back then). There are challenges that Lorenz makes to standard assumptions that still linger today. They basically are the aspects of biology that brush up against the outcomes (though not the opportunities) of social idealism. It is important to keep in mind that this book is a scientist's observations, and that Lorenz is aware of such charges he will evoke. The book is offered as an insight into human nature, and on the premise of "know thyself," because only once we do can we take control and responsibility for who we are--and who we are (as a species, alive today, with ancestors that go back way longer than we can account for) is mind-bogglingly complicated. Taking our distant cousins (other species) as models from which we can learn about ourselves is a genius idea. Life, after all, is hard to argue. Life is something we can intuitively know, so much as we look into the eyes of a deer or a dog and look into the window of its soul. We see it grow up from birth, get old, and pass on, and we know that it is alive, just like us.
Lorenz is a truth-seeker, an admirer of beauty, an advocate of the method of science, a humanitarian, an expert in his field, and a gifter teacher. Science, done earnestly and prudently, cannot eradicate beauty, but merely plunges its dedicated followers (or tool-users, if you will) into a more and more deeply comlex and beautiful world. Is science self-eradicating? Possibly. Does it requre a humble soul to use it? Certainly. What remains of Lorenz's research is an eternal awe of the animals he loved, and the echoes of how much we are part of that kingdom of life, no matter how much we try to moralize and abstract ourselves out of it. This sometimes is a hard pill to swallow. In the end, it is the irrefutable basis for all future morality and abstraction, and source of who we are.
Addendum: I am eager to read more Lorenz, and having just stumbled upon him on YouTube, learn more about what's going on in the world of evolutionary biology today through Bret Weinstein.
June 2, 2020
On Aggression is a classic in the ethology literature, first published in 1963, and when I picked it up off the shelf of a second-hand bookstore I was mostly looking for the scientific romance that characterised science literature back then. I did not expect it's central message to be so strong after all these years - a testament to both the strength of the science, and the humility Lorenz shows when going 'beyond the science of the day' - nor did I expect it to be so painfully topical. I began reading this before the pandemic of police brutality that has come to characterise the may/june protests in america really began take up my (an Australian) day-to-day attentions, but in the final chapter of the book Lorenz discusses what animals have taught us about aggression and how we can use that knowledge to try surmount our own sociopolitical aggression - using race relations in America as a case study. I could not think of a more moving coincidence. A gain of salt should be taken with this book - after all, it is a scientific book 60 years out of date and is not immune to cultural baggage of the time - but it should be read by every activist, political scientist, diplomat, military & police officer, psychologist, ethologist, and behaving human out there (Just perhaps read Behave by Robert Sapolsky first).
But I am getting ahead of myself - the majority of the book is about an ethological approach to studying aggression; that is, looking at aggression in animal behaviour and trying to understand it. More broadly than understanding the mechanics of aggression, Lorenz asks the teleological and evolutionary questions about aggression - why does aggression exist? What survival-value does it provide? In the behavioural sciences, 'aggression' is a slightly more narrow concept than it is in general use. Aggression refers to 'aggressive' acts between members of the same, or closely related, species and precludes behaviours that function as predation or play. There are a number of answers to this question - the obvious ones presented in biology 101 - defending territories for food and/or reproductive access, but aggression runs far deeper than that.
Some have suggested that On Aggression deals a lot with tangential topics, but I think this criticism is missing the point. Lorenz wants to claim Aggression is only one part of an animals behavioural repertoire, and must be understood within the context of everything else that animal does, and that is why the book can sometimes seem to veer off topic. The great majority of the book actually concerns social formation in animals and comparisons across species, from the 'anonymous flock' to deep, life-long friendships. The book could accurately be titled, instead, 'On Friendship' - probably attracting a very different audience than 'On Aggression,' but it is Lorenz' view that the two are intimately tied, and co-evolved as two opposing but necessary behavioural drives, analogous to the autonomic and parasympathetic response that either prepares us for action ('fight or flight) or calms the body down to save metabolic energy ('Rest and Digest'). Social bonding may have originally evolved in predatory species (It is well known now, and speculated at in the 60's, that social bonding evolved numerous times) as a way to inhibit aggression. For animals with 'natural weapons,' such as a wolf, there must be an intrinsic inhibitor of conspecific aggression else the species would commit a kind of murder-suicide because it is simply too easy for one member of the species to kill another. Even in non-social predatory species - the Tiger is a good example - multiple members of the species can only meet safely when there is another powerful behavioural drive (Usually Sexual or Maternal) strong enough to overcome the intrinsic aggressive drive. It is noteworthy that a Female Tiger (in most cases) will attack and kill her own offspring once they have grown up enough to be unable to trigger a maternal response. In contrast, for a species where is it more difficult for one member to kill another - traditional prey species - such an inhibitory drive is less required as it is comparatively easier for a fight to break down before death occurs, or killing requires more effort and is, thus, a rarer occurrence. As such, these species have less need for inhibition of aggression. Lorenz reviews the understanding of agression and it's evolutionary history in his time - beginning in coloured reef fish - and social bonding/group formation - with particular attention to the goose.
The writing here is superb. Lorenz manages to give detailed accounts without getting bogged in biological minutiae, and brings genuine humour throughout the book. It is a fine blend of scientific results and personal anecdotes told in tandem and in support, to satisfy both the sceptic in the reader who desires accuracy and the curiosity in the reader, who wants to be entertained. Lorenz is well aware that, though accuracy is important, it is entertainment that will drive the reader to understand. The book is very well structured, beginning with a slow wade into the reef of coloured fish where new concepts and ideas are gradually introduced, bit by bit, such that it never feels overwhelming. This is the greatest strength of the book, and i found that before i realised it i was intellectually wrestling with some pretty hefty themes, but Lorenz is a good guide. Having finished his survey of the animal ethology literature Lorenz turns to the 'most complex animal species', man.
Here is where On Aggression really becomes an interesting read. As a book on it's topic it is interesting enough. As a modern reader, however, reading about the topic of human aggression in society and politics written during the beginning of the Cold War and just after World War Two, it's a fascinating window into a chaotic time. In this respect, On Aggression is as useful to historians of the middle 20th century as it is to the animal lover. The biggest concern here is that our species is, phylogenetically, a prey species. The technological ascendancy of man is cultural and in evolutionary terms very, very new. We are therefore in the unfortunate position of having a Wolf's Jaw without the behavioural inhibitions of not using it against ourselves. We have the socio-cognitive development of a prey species with the (technologically augmented) body of a predatory one, and for a Lorenz looking back at the first and second world wars and staring into the possibility of nuclear holocaust - a legitimate fear in the 1960's - a bet on the long-term survival of H. sapiens is not a good gamble. He is worried that even if we do not 'irradiate ourselves with the bomb,' we are just as likely to 'do a similar thing with Carbon.' I wish I could give him better news from the future.
But Lorenz wants to offer some solutions, for through we don't have the inhibitions of a predatory social species bred into us by millennia of evolution, we do have the advantage of abstract reasoning. With that, perhaps we can learn from a study of aggression in animals and use what we learn to design our own inhibitions. The greatest inhibitory drive is a bond of friendship, and so it is Lorenz's great hope that the nations and peoples of the world could overcome the aggressive, fearful drives first instilled into us as rodent-like mammals fleeing before the Tyrannosaurus by enhanced international and intercultural exchange, by turning the 'other' into just another friend. An ardent supporter of the U.N, In this hope he foretells some many of the findings in psychology and political science of the 60 years after his book, and precedes them all in his prescriptions for world peace all by looking 'backwards though evolution' to see what the animals around us have to say.
It is in the final chapter where Lorenz outlines his ideas on how to avoid human-human aggression that he uses race relations in the US as a case study - and here the book is really depressing, for 60 years on, it is very, very clear we as a global society have learned nothing from Lorenz, On Aggression, or his favourite goose Martina.
But I am getting ahead of myself - the majority of the book is about an ethological approach to studying aggression; that is, looking at aggression in animal behaviour and trying to understand it. More broadly than understanding the mechanics of aggression, Lorenz asks the teleological and evolutionary questions about aggression - why does aggression exist? What survival-value does it provide? In the behavioural sciences, 'aggression' is a slightly more narrow concept than it is in general use. Aggression refers to 'aggressive' acts between members of the same, or closely related, species and precludes behaviours that function as predation or play. There are a number of answers to this question - the obvious ones presented in biology 101 - defending territories for food and/or reproductive access, but aggression runs far deeper than that.
Some have suggested that On Aggression deals a lot with tangential topics, but I think this criticism is missing the point. Lorenz wants to claim Aggression is only one part of an animals behavioural repertoire, and must be understood within the context of everything else that animal does, and that is why the book can sometimes seem to veer off topic. The great majority of the book actually concerns social formation in animals and comparisons across species, from the 'anonymous flock' to deep, life-long friendships. The book could accurately be titled, instead, 'On Friendship' - probably attracting a very different audience than 'On Aggression,' but it is Lorenz' view that the two are intimately tied, and co-evolved as two opposing but necessary behavioural drives, analogous to the autonomic and parasympathetic response that either prepares us for action ('fight or flight) or calms the body down to save metabolic energy ('Rest and Digest'). Social bonding may have originally evolved in predatory species (It is well known now, and speculated at in the 60's, that social bonding evolved numerous times) as a way to inhibit aggression. For animals with 'natural weapons,' such as a wolf, there must be an intrinsic inhibitor of conspecific aggression else the species would commit a kind of murder-suicide because it is simply too easy for one member of the species to kill another. Even in non-social predatory species - the Tiger is a good example - multiple members of the species can only meet safely when there is another powerful behavioural drive (Usually Sexual or Maternal) strong enough to overcome the intrinsic aggressive drive. It is noteworthy that a Female Tiger (in most cases) will attack and kill her own offspring once they have grown up enough to be unable to trigger a maternal response. In contrast, for a species where is it more difficult for one member to kill another - traditional prey species - such an inhibitory drive is less required as it is comparatively easier for a fight to break down before death occurs, or killing requires more effort and is, thus, a rarer occurrence. As such, these species have less need for inhibition of aggression. Lorenz reviews the understanding of agression and it's evolutionary history in his time - beginning in coloured reef fish - and social bonding/group formation - with particular attention to the goose.
The writing here is superb. Lorenz manages to give detailed accounts without getting bogged in biological minutiae, and brings genuine humour throughout the book. It is a fine blend of scientific results and personal anecdotes told in tandem and in support, to satisfy both the sceptic in the reader who desires accuracy and the curiosity in the reader, who wants to be entertained. Lorenz is well aware that, though accuracy is important, it is entertainment that will drive the reader to understand. The book is very well structured, beginning with a slow wade into the reef of coloured fish where new concepts and ideas are gradually introduced, bit by bit, such that it never feels overwhelming. This is the greatest strength of the book, and i found that before i realised it i was intellectually wrestling with some pretty hefty themes, but Lorenz is a good guide. Having finished his survey of the animal ethology literature Lorenz turns to the 'most complex animal species', man.
Here is where On Aggression really becomes an interesting read. As a book on it's topic it is interesting enough. As a modern reader, however, reading about the topic of human aggression in society and politics written during the beginning of the Cold War and just after World War Two, it's a fascinating window into a chaotic time. In this respect, On Aggression is as useful to historians of the middle 20th century as it is to the animal lover. The biggest concern here is that our species is, phylogenetically, a prey species. The technological ascendancy of man is cultural and in evolutionary terms very, very new. We are therefore in the unfortunate position of having a Wolf's Jaw without the behavioural inhibitions of not using it against ourselves. We have the socio-cognitive development of a prey species with the (technologically augmented) body of a predatory one, and for a Lorenz looking back at the first and second world wars and staring into the possibility of nuclear holocaust - a legitimate fear in the 1960's - a bet on the long-term survival of H. sapiens is not a good gamble. He is worried that even if we do not 'irradiate ourselves with the bomb,' we are just as likely to 'do a similar thing with Carbon.' I wish I could give him better news from the future.
But Lorenz wants to offer some solutions, for through we don't have the inhibitions of a predatory social species bred into us by millennia of evolution, we do have the advantage of abstract reasoning. With that, perhaps we can learn from a study of aggression in animals and use what we learn to design our own inhibitions. The greatest inhibitory drive is a bond of friendship, and so it is Lorenz's great hope that the nations and peoples of the world could overcome the aggressive, fearful drives first instilled into us as rodent-like mammals fleeing before the Tyrannosaurus by enhanced international and intercultural exchange, by turning the 'other' into just another friend. An ardent supporter of the U.N, In this hope he foretells some many of the findings in psychology and political science of the 60 years after his book, and precedes them all in his prescriptions for world peace all by looking 'backwards though evolution' to see what the animals around us have to say.
It is in the final chapter where Lorenz outlines his ideas on how to avoid human-human aggression that he uses race relations in the US as a case study - and here the book is really depressing, for 60 years on, it is very, very clear we as a global society have learned nothing from Lorenz, On Aggression, or his favourite goose Martina.
October 8, 2018
Impossible to rate anything but five. Should be required reading for all human beings. One of those rare books which make you look at the world from a whole new angle. It offers countless vital insights into social existence and- even if you think man is something fundamentally different from other animals - forces one to look at many a social phenomena in a new light. Well written, absolutely riveting - and extremely important.
Lorenz makes too many fascinating points to mention, but here are three which I feel are maybe the most important:
1) Aggression is beyond good and evil; it has a function and fulfilling it, it causes things we consider both good and bad. This means that to remove aggression would mean to also remove things such as respect, competition, and even love. Not to mention how much beauty has emerged from sublimated aggression.
2) We are not driven by reason but by our emotions, instincts and drives, which we are only beginning to understand. To attempt to 'weed out' certain essential aspects of humanity (like aggression) because they appear useless or even harmful to our reason, is utmost folly and hubris if ever there was any.
3) Humanity's greatest advantage may turn out to be his worst nightmare. Species' which are easily capable of killing others of their own kind, like lions or wolves, have very strict inhibitory mechanism against attacking each other. Human beings, because we lack lethal teeth or claws, also lack these strong inhibitory mechanisms. Which was all fine and dandy until we invented weaponry. Technology may be our undoing. Our brains just aren't wired to deal with the responsibility inherent in pulling triggers, much less with buttons that kill thousands of people per press.
But it's not all about people. Lorenz talks of humanity by first fooling you in through lots of fascinating stories about animals, many of them hilarious, some heartbreaking. But it's a nice kind of fooling: the kind you are grateful for.
If you've ever wondered why people seem to turn into a mindless herd in large groups, how crows remember things from ten years back, or why we laugh, this book is for you. Actually, if you are human, this book is for you. If everyone read this, the world would be a better place with a bit more honesty and a bit less hate.
Lorenz makes too many fascinating points to mention, but here are three which I feel are maybe the most important:
1) Aggression is beyond good and evil; it has a function and fulfilling it, it causes things we consider both good and bad. This means that to remove aggression would mean to also remove things such as respect, competition, and even love. Not to mention how much beauty has emerged from sublimated aggression.
2) We are not driven by reason but by our emotions, instincts and drives, which we are only beginning to understand. To attempt to 'weed out' certain essential aspects of humanity (like aggression) because they appear useless or even harmful to our reason, is utmost folly and hubris if ever there was any.
3) Humanity's greatest advantage may turn out to be his worst nightmare. Species' which are easily capable of killing others of their own kind, like lions or wolves, have very strict inhibitory mechanism against attacking each other. Human beings, because we lack lethal teeth or claws, also lack these strong inhibitory mechanisms. Which was all fine and dandy until we invented weaponry. Technology may be our undoing. Our brains just aren't wired to deal with the responsibility inherent in pulling triggers, much less with buttons that kill thousands of people per press.
But it's not all about people. Lorenz talks of humanity by first fooling you in through lots of fascinating stories about animals, many of them hilarious, some heartbreaking. But it's a nice kind of fooling: the kind you are grateful for.
If you've ever wondered why people seem to turn into a mindless herd in large groups, how crows remember things from ten years back, or why we laugh, this book is for you. Actually, if you are human, this book is for you. If everyone read this, the world would be a better place with a bit more honesty and a bit less hate.
March 10, 2018
Un libro interesantísimo y muy instructivo que sirve para conocernos mejor a nosotros mismos, al resto del reino animal, y hasta qué grado nos parecemos entre nosotros. Sobre los instintos, sobre el origen y la finalidad del comportamiento más intrínseco, qué nos mueve a hacer ésto o aquello, de dónde surge la agresión y el amor, qué funciones tienen en la vida social, las consecuencias, los beneficios, etc. Es bastante ameno, aunque hay trozos que para un lego en la materia como yo puede costar entender, pero en general, mantiene un lenguaje estándar fácil de entender por cualquier persona mínimamente versada en los libros de divulgación y ciencia. Tiene momentos realmente bonitos, como el capítulo dedicado a la vida de los patos.
Y ahora un poquito de agresión contra la Editorial "Siglo XXI"; me he encontrado más de CINCUENTA fallos de tipografía a lo largo de 280 páginas, y una traducción que por momentos se convierte en puro galimatías. Es una vergüenza que esto sea tan corriente hoy en día. No hay libro actual que no abra sin encontrarme con cagadas varias. Un libro es el símbolo máximo de la cultura y la divulgación, de la difusión de las buenas normas de la lengua y de escritura. Una falta de ortografía y de tipografía en un libro es el insulto máximo. Eso me ofende más que el hecho de estar pagando un precio por adquirir un producto en buenas condiciones. Sé que no leerán esto, pero tengo que reorientar mi rabia de alguna manera.
Y ahora un poquito de agresión contra la Editorial "Siglo XXI"; me he encontrado más de CINCUENTA fallos de tipografía a lo largo de 280 páginas, y una traducción que por momentos se convierte en puro galimatías. Es una vergüenza que esto sea tan corriente hoy en día. No hay libro actual que no abra sin encontrarme con cagadas varias. Un libro es el símbolo máximo de la cultura y la divulgación, de la difusión de las buenas normas de la lengua y de escritura. Una falta de ortografía y de tipografía en un libro es el insulto máximo. Eso me ofende más que el hecho de estar pagando un precio por adquirir un producto en buenas condiciones. Sé que no leerán esto, pero tengo que reorientar mi rabia de alguna manera.
May 13, 2013
"Sentirá, pelo contrário, uma nova forma de respeito perante os êxitos da razão e da moral responsável que só entraram nesse mundo com o homem e que podem muito bem dar-lhe o poder de o dominar, desde que no seu orgulho cego, ele não negue a existência da sua herançca animal. (página 253)
Por outras palavras, a necessidade de controlar por uma sábia responsabilidade moral todas as nossas adesões sentimentais é tão grande, senão maior, como necessidade de anular as nossas outras pulsões. Nenhuma delas pode produzir efeitos tão devastadores como o entusiasmo militante não jugulado quando contaminou as multidões e domina qualquer outra consideração, devido à sua estreiteza de vistas e às suas pretensões de nobreza. Porque não é o entusiasmo em si que é nobre; nobres são os grandes fins da humanidade que ele pode ser levado a defender. É essa dupla face de Janus que o homem tem: único ser capaz de se consagrar aos mais altos valores morais e éticos, para atingir os seus fins de um mecanismo de comportamento filogeneticamente adaptado; mas as propriedades animais desse mecanismo trazem em si o perigo de que ele mate o seu irmão convencido a agir assim no interesse desses mesmos altos valores. Ecce homo!" (página 301)
Por outras palavras, a necessidade de controlar por uma sábia responsabilidade moral todas as nossas adesões sentimentais é tão grande, senão maior, como necessidade de anular as nossas outras pulsões. Nenhuma delas pode produzir efeitos tão devastadores como o entusiasmo militante não jugulado quando contaminou as multidões e domina qualquer outra consideração, devido à sua estreiteza de vistas e às suas pretensões de nobreza. Porque não é o entusiasmo em si que é nobre; nobres são os grandes fins da humanidade que ele pode ser levado a defender. É essa dupla face de Janus que o homem tem: único ser capaz de se consagrar aos mais altos valores morais e éticos, para atingir os seus fins de um mecanismo de comportamento filogeneticamente adaptado; mas as propriedades animais desse mecanismo trazem em si o perigo de que ele mate o seu irmão convencido a agir assim no interesse desses mesmos altos valores. Ecce homo!" (página 301)
October 2, 2015
Жорстка і трохи сентиментальна книга. Автор ясно показує, що кохання і агресія це по суті різні сторони однієї медалі. І від любові до ненависті дуже близько. Агресія, я важлива риса характеру тварин, в основному направлена на собі подібних. Навіть лева на антилопу, приводиться без агресії, а з азартом. Крім того автор прекрасно описує всю драматичнсть життєвих перепетій і любовних історій гусей які дадуть фори мильним серіалам. Є кілька глав де автор, мабуть хотів самореалізуватись як художній письменник, їх можна пропустити.
Автор наголошує на те що наші інстикти (сексуальні, агресивні, тощо) не можуть бути вічно замкнені і їх довга нереалізація потім виплеснеться некотрольваними і незрозумілими вчинками. Тому варто направляти свою агресію на користь діла, цілі яку ви досягаєте.
Автор наголошує на те що наші інстикти (сексуальні, агресивні, тощо) не можуть бути вічно замкнені і їх довга нереалізація потім виплеснеться некотрольваними і незрозумілими вчинками. Тому варто направляти свою агресію на користь діла, цілі яку ви досягаєте.
September 15, 2016
A very important piece of writing put together in an overly ambitious fashion.
As a science oriented individual I do agree everything stands, but the data itself is stacked up in a big cluster and not that easy to follow. Must agree with the comment Lorenz pointed out in the prologue when his friend said it wasn't clear what all of this adds up to.
But to be fair, I hoped for much more paragraphs similar to those from the last 3 chapters - a comparative approach and an analysis of humans or at least primates in the current context - and my hopes can not be a valid means of judgment.
But still, too much fish and birds for me.
All in all, Lorenz presents some key ideas at the end and an honest concern for man's assurance of his detachment from primitive instincts.
As a science oriented individual I do agree everything stands, but the data itself is stacked up in a big cluster and not that easy to follow. Must agree with the comment Lorenz pointed out in the prologue when his friend said it wasn't clear what all of this adds up to.
But to be fair, I hoped for much more paragraphs similar to those from the last 3 chapters - a comparative approach and an analysis of humans or at least primates in the current context - and my hopes can not be a valid means of judgment.
But still, too much fish and birds for me.
All in all, Lorenz presents some key ideas at the end and an honest concern for man's assurance of his detachment from primitive instincts.
December 1, 2017
Muy interesante tratado sobre la agresión, eminentemente intraespecífica, en animales y por extensión en el ser humano. Difiere con Freud en relación a la conceptualización de la pulsión de muerte y coincide con él en cuanto a la sublimación como salida frente al impulso de la agresión. Es un buen libro que por momentos entra en el terreno de la psicología comparada y justamente me pareció "flojo" en cuanto a la poca relevancia que le da al hecho de que los seres humanos somos seres atravezados por el lenguaje y eso marca diferencias abismales con el resto de los animales en los aspectos generales y más específicamente en cuanto al tema de la agresión entre seres de la misma especie. Lectura muy interesante
April 28, 2024
Kad se u evoluciji nekih bića agresija morala suspregnuti kako bi omogućila mirno zajedničko djelovanje dviju ili više jedinki nastala je spona osobne ljubavi i prijateljstva, na kojoj se temelji naše ljudsko društveno uređenje. Nova životna situacija danas nedvojbeno čini nužnim mehanizam suzprezanja koji treba spriječiti ne samo nasilnu agresiju protiv naših osobnih prijatelja već i protiv svih ljudi. Iz toga proizlazi gotovo prirodni zahtjev - voljeti svu svoju ljudsku braću, bez zagledavanja u osobu. Potpun i topao osjećaj ljubavi i prijateljstva osjećamo samo za pojedinca, to ne može promijeniti niti najjača niti najbolja volja! Ali veliki graditelji to mogu.
July 22, 2012
The info on coral fish - interesting. The info on geese - interesting and humorous. There is lots of stuff in this book about the functionality of and speaking about the adaptive value of aggression that makes a lot of sense when it comes to fish, geese and even some mammals. Though don't count on the chapters regarding human aggression telling you anything useful.
June 15, 2020
250 صفحه با 122 فصل بخونی که آخرش تو 2 فصل و نزدیک 20 صفحه بفهمیکه چقدر حیوان هستیم اونم از نوع ناجورش.
کتاب خوبی هست البته اگه پیدا بشه چون به نظر بجز دو سه تا کتابخونه مهم جای دیگه ای پیدا نشه . به عنوان یک رفتارشناس خیلی جزیی به مقوله تهاجم و دلایل و اثراتش در حیوانات پرداخته و با انسان مقایسه کرده
کتاب خوبی هست البته اگه پیدا بشه چون به نظر بجز دو سه تا کتابخونه مهم جای دیگه ای پیدا نشه . به عنوان یک رفتارشناس خیلی جزیی به مقوله تهاجم و دلایل و اثراتش در حیوانات پرداخته و با انسان مقایسه کرده
June 29, 2022
Žádná jiná kniha mě neuspala ve vlaku tak často, jako právě tahle. Jako zajímavé čtení, ale bylo to dost těžký přelouskat. Při spánkový deprivace přijde vhod, I guess + je levnější než prothazin -> stačí pár vět a spis jak miminko.
September 29, 2015
Uno de los libros que usé mientras escribía Las Bestias
October 19, 2015
One of the modern classics.
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