Between Man and Beast: The Paradox of Human Nature
In the local markets, when an "Auntie" witnesses a particularly cruel or inhuman act, she often hurls a specific, stinging question:
"Are you human or animal?"
It is a question that cuts to the core of our identity. To be equated with an animal is deeply degrading because, as humans, we believe we are "set apart." We possess consciousness, self-awareness, and higher intelligence. We dream, invent, and build civilizations.
Yet, despite our ability to create AI and reach for the stars, we remain capable of "animalistic" acts—like the harrowing case of a father who systematically abused his own daughters.https://share.google/26tQisF3QRdx0qNsF
When such monsters emerge, we are forced to look at the mirror and ask: What are we, really?
The Scientific vs. Spiritual Divide
To understand our nature, we often look to two conflicting origins:
The Darwinian View:
Charles Darwin, the Father of Evolution, posited in The Origin of Species that we are biological cousins to the great apes. From this perspective, we share 96–98% of our DNA with chimpanzees.
We are Homo sapiens, a species that emerged from a long line of ancestors millions of years ago.
The Spiritual View:
Conversely, religious texts like Genesis describe a divine origin—man created from dust, animated by the breath of God.
In this view, we are created in a divine image, endowed with a conscience to distinguish right from wrong.
The tension lies in the fact that while our brains are larger and more "rational" than those of animals, our behavior sometimes falls far below the standards of the “wild.”
The Myth of "Animalistic" Incest
A common defense or confusion regarding incest is the idea that "animals do it, so it's natural." However, this is biologically and factually flawed.
In the animal kingdom, nature has built-in avoidance mechanisms. Many species of monkeys, birds, and reptiles have evolved to leave their family groups upon reaching maturity specifically to prevent inbreeding. While animals lack man-made laws, they follow a "natural law" that favors genetic diversity.
In humans, the prohibition against incest is both a biological necessity and a moral pillar. Inbreeding leads to:
- Genetic Deformities: Recessive traits manifest, leading to physical abnormalities.
- Weakened Immunity: A lack of genetic variety makes offspring more susceptible to disease.
- Lowered Intellect: Cognitive impairments often occur in inbred lineages.
Power, Not Instinct: The Root of the Crime
When we hear of a father sentenced to 165 years and 119 strokes of the cane for raping his daughters, we shouldn't blame "animal instinct." In fact, most animals protect their young more fiercely than that man did.
Psychology tells us that incestuous abuse is rarely about sexual desire; it is about power, control, and the exploitation of vulnerability.
Healthy humans have a built-in psychological barrier against being attracted to close relatives. When that barrier breaks, it is usually due to:
- Psychological Pathology: Deep-seated trauma or personality disorders.
- Social Isolation: A breakdown of normal social boundaries.
Lack of Empathy: A total failure of the "conscience" that is supposed to define the human experience.
Conclusion: The Blurred Mind
So, why do we commit acts against nature when we are "blessed" above all animals?
It happens when lust, greed, or the thirst for power overpowers the mind, blurring the lines of our humanity. We have the potential to be a super-intelligent species, yet we are still tethered to our darkest impulses.
Perhaps the Aunties in the market are right. We are born "human," but being human is a status we must maintain through our actions.
When we choose to abandon our role as protectors and give in to monstrous cruelty, we aren't just "acting like animals"—we are failing to meet the standards of the natural world entirely.
Read this link,
Possible causes of incest by humans.
Jack Ung (jack.uct1953@gmail.com) is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
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