The origins of human aggression stretch through the ages and are deeply rooted in our nature.

The Evolution of Aggression: Biological, Emotional, and Personal Influ

The origins of human aggression stretch through the ages and are deeply rooted in our nature. From the earliest manifestations of fist fighting to modern behavior, it is clear that our biology lays the foundation for aggressive instincts. In this dynamic picture, three aspects play a key role.

First and foremost is our evolutionary heritage, which has shaped in humans a repertoire of survival-instincts. The legacy of aggressive behavior—expressed through harsh physical gestures—shows that the capacity for aggression was an integral part of the formation of our species. Moreover, human nature is imbued with powerful passions that can sometimes overpower reason. Such uncontrolled agitation, where emotions literally seize control, causes rational thought to take a back seat, facilitating the emergence of unbridled impulses.

Finally, personality traits significantly influence how aggression manifests. People prone to impulsiveness and unable to analyze the consequences of their actions often display aggressive behavior during disputes and conflicts, which not only impairs their communication skills but also negatively affects their social relationships. Ultimately, a combination of genetic predispositions, intense passions, and individual characteristics creates fertile ground for situations where a lack of self-control leads to heightened aggression.

This multifaceted picture underlines that combating aggression requires not only a deep understanding of its biological and psychological underpinnings but also the development of self-regulation skills. A thorough analysis of our instincts, emotions, and characters helps create conditions for more measured and harmonious interactions within society.

Why is it that humans often cannot control their aggression on their own, and instead, worsen it?

The answer to your question is linked to several aspects of human nature. First, evolutionary heritage has played its role: aggressive traits, as noted in the source " link txt", are part of man's innate nature. It is stated that, "The unmistakable evidence of human development is fist fighting as a means to more effectively organize and carry out aggression," implying that the tendency toward violence and conflict is embedded in the very essence of humanity.

Second, human nature is characterized by the dominance of passions that often override reason. For example, a quote from " link txt" explains: "But there are other cases when a certain passion in a person begins to grow uncontrollably, becoming unbridled. […] What is the flaw of passion? It is that passion is always blind; it is incapable of reflecting, weighing options, or considering consequences. It is a blind, unbridled urge toward something..." Such a one-sided dominance of a single passion can displace other feelings, leading to situations where attempts to regulate aggression only serve to intensify its manifestation.

Finally, the character of an individual plays an important role. As noted in the source " link txt": "Such a person in an argument may begin to behave aggressively, resorting to personal attacks and insults, often possessing high demands, lacking self-criticism, and blaming others for many of his failures. […] People with this type of personality find it difficult to get along with others. They themselves often suffer from their impulsiveness and inability to control themselves." This emphasizes that for people with a propensity for unrestrained impulsivity, regulating aggression is a genuine challenge, and attempts at 'control' often lead to even more pronounced outbursts.

Thus, the lack of effective self-control over aggression is linked to inherent biological traits, the dominance of certain passions, and personality characteristics, where impulsiveness and an inability to foresee consequences contribute to the exacerbation of aggressive behavior.

Supporting citation(s):
"The unmistakable evidence of human development is fist fighting as a means to more effectively organize and carry out aggression" (source: link txt)
"But there are other cases when a certain passion in a person begins to grow uncontrollably, becoming unbridled. ... Passion is always blind; it is incapable of reflecting, weighing options, or considering consequences. It is a blind, unbridled urge toward something..." (source: link txt)
"Such a person in an argument may begin to behave aggressively, resorting to personal attacks and insults, ... People with this type of personality find it difficult to get along with others. They themselves often suffer from their impulsiveness and inability to control themselves." (source: link txt)