Response to Becky

In her blog Becky posed the question Do you think that as humans, it is an instinct to prove that we are more powerful?

I think in order to begin to address this question we must first clearly define instinct. Merriam-Webster define it as "largely inheritable and unalterable tendency of an organism to make a complex and specific response to environmental stimuli without involving reason." For this completely correct and can be applied to human beings.

If I understand both Becky's question and the definition correctly then it's safe to assume that Becky is implying that humans uncontrollably feel the need to assert power over other non-human animals. I have to disagree with this. While I do think that some people feel the need to assert their power over non-human beings, I think this is a tendency and not an instinct.

When I was younger my grandfather used to talk to me about the Great Spirit and about how every being was a part of that Spirit. My grandfather and my people (the Blackfeet, and most other Native Americans) see animals as a gift from nature and therefore think it is arrogant for human beings to overpower them. Yes, the practice of hunting and killing animals for food and clothing is still alive, but each kill is viewed as a sacrifice and the animal is greatly appreciated for clothing and feeding people. There is little distinction between people and animals, as we are all part of the Great Spirit serving different purposes.

This is just one example of how it is not inherent behavior to kill animals simply because we can. Primitive societies killed animals because they needed to in order to survive. Today, when the practice of killing animals is not necessary in most cases, many people choose not to do so. If it were human instinct we would all do it without thinking twice.

My question for this blog is: Do you think that there will ever be a time when human societies phase out meat eating completely?