The Origins of Conflict-Law and Society in Early Civilizations

The Origins of Conflict-Law and Society in Early Civilizations

I agree with the theory that conflicts arise because people are naturally selfish. The theory, initially first advanced by Hobbes, characterizes human nature as one in a constant state of competition (Sadler,2010). The violent state of competition between humans arises from their entitlement to everything under the sun regardless of other people’s interests. Human nature is ruled by the self-preservation principle, to the extent that each individual only cares about their interests with little regard for other people’s needs.

Due to the unsustainable state of mistrust between individuals, they cannot trust each other to handle disputes objectively. The mistrust existing between humans motivates them to relinquish their natural rights to higher authorities (Sadler,2010). In what has come to be known as a social contract, relinquishing personal freedoms to higher authorities makes people less of a target of dispossession. It is worth noting that people still retain the sovereignty to do as they wish but will be subjected to authorities if they do anything contrary to the social contract.  A president’s functions best illustrate how authority helps in conflict resolution. A president appoints judges who resolve conflict and has the power to extend amnesty when he/she deems it fit.

I back the theory because human behavior is truly unpredictable, with factors such as social norms, and culture at the center of human conflicts. These factors influence people to behave differently. Pre-historic human societies were violent due to the competition instinct. These societies may have been inherently violent due to the lack of authoritative structures that would curb their selfish nature. However, in the modern dispensation, governments and other authorities exist to curb the selfish human instincts to ensure harmony.

References

Sadler, G. B. (2010). The States of Nature in Hobbes’ Leviathan. Government and History Faculty Working Papers. 9. https://digitalcommons.uncfsu.edu/govt_hist_wp/9

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When we look at early governments, like those of Egypt and Sumer, one of their main functions was to create and enforce laws. Generations of historians and philosophers have been interested in how and why these governments and their laws came to be.

The Origins of Conflict-Law and Society in Early Civilizations

Many of the conflicts, problems, and threats addressed in ancient law codes like the Code of Hammurabi are familiar to us: theft, murder, assault, and breach of contract. Over thousands of years, we have not eliminated these social problems. I want to present a very simplified version of two theories about the roots of conflict; please let us know which theory is more convincing to you and why.

Option A: Conflict arises because people are naturally selfish. Pre-historic human societies were brutal and violent, but laws and governments exist to curb our worst instincts and enforce good behavior.

Option B: Conflict arises because of social inequality. Early humans were, by their nature, good people, but social stratification, wealth and power corrupted their good nature.