Quote:
Originally Posted by driveway
I don't believe that's true at all, and I think there are myriad instances which disprove it. There are plenty of stories about people being isolated in tragic circumstances where chaos does not ensue, but rather people prove adept at organizing themselves in such a way as to ensure survival.
Trying to track down some research to back up my hypothesis, but all the papers I can find I have to pay for.
An example that comes to mind is the "Alive" story - yes people did horrible things to survive, but they didn't kill each other and they didn't descend into chaos.
In fact, the very philosophy you quote leads us to conclude that, in any isolated group there will probably be people of at least two, if not all three of the "metal" types, which would indicate that order would then be naturally asserted. Also, as far as I know there is nothing in that philosophy which indicates that people are incapable of transcending their 'type' in dire circumstances.
People need other people to survive, and the drive to survive is by far the most powerful instinct we have. It is in the best interest of an organism such as a human to maintain a functioning group dynamic in difficult or dangerous circumstances.
And to get back on topic, I don't hate Satan at all - he's doing awesome for me in my pool.
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You make some good points.
Perhaps that sentence wasn't clear, I'll try again. I meant that if you have a group of people that lacks natural leaders and guardians, chaos will ensue. Perhaps its an element of evolution that these people exist and in increasingly large numbers. Much of that evolution is based on centuries of learned societal norms. We've never truly been without them since the stone age. Even after the Fall of Rome, those "barbarians" were fairly sophisticated societies... or very soon became them.
Don't forget, the instinct to survive and thrive can easily lead to evil. In a world changing situation, it might be in my best interests to kill a couple rivals, rape and pillage and build my own junta. I am no longer accountable to any society. Unless its also in my best interests to help build a new society... depends on my personal priorities.
Frankly, I think due to what we know... anarchy is impossible to achieve now. Say there was a terrible plague and 5.99 billion people died, and all global governments ceased to exist. There would assuredly be pockets without any capable/competent/willing leader and they would more than likely descend into Lord of the Flies instinct fueled chaos and probably wipe themselves out. For many others, they would simply band together with their friends, families and allies into a group to protect themselves from roving gangs, consolidate resources and facilitate other social requirements. That group would likely try to make peaceful relations with neighboring groups to consolidate claims and for mutual protection. Before you know it, that alliance of groups forms something very closely resembling a modern republic.