Are we hard-wired to commit violence? Playwright Robert Ardrey and anthropologist Napoleon Chagnon argue that as Cain’s children, we have a natural predisposition for war that becomes highly-destructive and a self-fulfilling prophecy, making war more likely.

In certain circumstances, they assert, we have a predilection for violence, especially when there is high resource competition (territory, food, water, mates or social status). But others argue that there is no evidence whatever that human beings who are nonviolent eventually feel a need to commit mayhem.

Indeed, there’s abundant evidence that people are quite capable of renouncing violence. I agree, recalling political activist Susan Sontag’s cogent observation: “Nobody can think and hit someone at the same time.”

Let’s not forget that we humans also promote constructive social activities including altruism, empathy and volunteerism. Essayist George Saunders framed it well when he eloquently tapped into a desire in all of us to lead kinder, more fulfilling lives. (See his Syracuse University commencement address. Congratulations, by the way.)

Albert Einstein advocated nonviolence when he said “I believe that Gandhi’s views were the most enlightened of all the political men of our time. We should strive to do things in his spirit: not to use violence in fighting for our cause, but by nonparticipation in anything you believe is evil.”

Psychologist Steven Pinker believes that we humans may slowly be on track toward building a more peaceable future. But you probably couldn’t tell that to the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, Native Americans in North Dakota, black Americans in metropolitan America, Latinos threatened with deportation or Muslims seeking refuge from violence.

There’s a Cherokee story that speaks well to this matter. A young girl was troubled by a recurring dream in which two wolves fought viciously with each other. When she recounted the dream to her grandfather, a village elder renowned for his wisdom, he explained that there are two wolves inside everyone, one peaceful and one warlike. At this, the girl was even more upset, and asked which one wins. Her grandfather’s response: “The one you feed.”

Dr. Robert Brake

Ocean Park, Washington