competition vs. cooperation; the struggle for existence
Editorial introduction
Some animals help one another to survive, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá points out, and that single observation unsettles the claim that the struggle for existence is the natural foundation of human society; He calls that claim the gravest of errors. He does not deny the facts of nature: everything is eater and eaten, atoms contend, the wolf would take every sheep if it could, and commerce is a kind of warfare among merchants. His point is that human prosperity depends on virtues contrary to nature’s demands, and that education, courts of arbitration between nations, and the coordination of human wills are the means by which conscious cooperation replaces instinctive rivalry. Kropotkin’s historical argument that mutual aid is a factor of evolution makes a useful comparison from a different political world [1], and a reminder that an account of nature and a moral aspiration are claims of different kinds. The question underneath is how descriptions of the animal world should enter arguments about how people ought to live. The path leads on toward the need for cooperation, toward humanity’s distinction from the animal, and toward the animal kingdom itself.
Consider that some creatures seek the harm of others and call this the struggle for survival, claiming it to be the natural foundation of human society. But this is a grave error--indeed, there could be no greater error. Glory be to God! Among some animals there is cooperation and mutual aid for survival. It can be observed that in times of danger they actually rush to help one another.
In the natural world, the greatest force is the struggle for survival, and this struggle for existence is the source of all difficulties and the cause of war and strife, enmity and hatred among all humanity. For in the natural world, oppression, self-centeredness, the desire for dominance, and transgression against the rights of others--these blameworthy qualities which are among the vices of the animal world--exist. Therefore, as long as nature's demands rule among humanity, the prosperity and success of the human world depends on virtues and qualities that adorn human reality, which are contrary to nature's demands. Nature is warlike, nature is bloodthirsty, nature is tyrannical, nature is heedless of the Lord God.
In the days of old an instinct for warfare was developed in the struggle with wild animals; this is no longer necessary; nay, rather, co-operation and mutual understanding are seen to produce the greatest welfare of mankind.
All the atoms of creation are in conflict and struggle with one another, engaged in the contest for survival. … The elements are in utter conflict, and created things transgress against one another. Animals tear each other apart, plants crowd each other out, humanity is constantly in danger. This terrible war stems from the struggle for survival. Every being is caught in another's grip.
These poor souls are like animals captive to nature, defeated and condemned by nature. The animal, according to the dictates of nature, transgresses, each striving to destroy the other--this is in accordance with nature's rule and requirement. In the world of nature there is ferocity, oppression, struggle for survival, and all these are nature's requirements. Just as all these animals are captive to nature, in the same way man too is abject, subjugated, and captive to nature.
Strife is an animal tendency, an attribute of nature, for nature is dominated by the law of the survival of the fittest, which ever causes enmity, rancor and warfare, and when nature is left to itself corruption prevails. Man must be educated according to the teachings of God in order that the natural or animal tendencies may be eradicated, and so that he may be enabled to acquire spiritual virtues, attractions of the conscience, fellowship and love.
There is a struggle for survival - what is commerce but warfare? The merchant is at war with all other merchants in order to profit. This is called the struggle for survival. … The human world is a world of conflict and contention; every individual is at war with all others.
Strive as much as you can to extinguish these flames, let this always be your thought - to extinguish them. One must show the utmost kindness to all people.
The Master said: "It is natural in man to oppress. When two individuals fight they go before the Court and settle their differences but there is no law or any court whereby the nations may resort thereto and arbitrate their conflicting interests, therefore when they arise to usurp each other's countries there is no one to say 'no'.
In the world of existence there is nothing more productive of results than the co-ordination of the will-powers of men. If the will-powers of two men co-ordinate with each other, the action will be greater in effect and scope. Likewise if the will-powers of the nations of today co-ordinate with each other in international comity and unification, the Happiness of mankind will become unveiled.
Cooperation and mutual assistance are among the binding obligations of human society, especially for the Party of God, who must sacrifice themselves in cooperating with and supporting one another, nay rather for all humanity, for this is better and more attractive and will influence mankind like the spirit in the human body, bestowing new life.
On the other hand there is the law of the eater and the eaten. The higher forms of life are fed upon the lower status of genesis. The grass takes its nourishment out of the soil and every day grows taller and taller like unto this (extending his hand toward the tall grass waving in the field.) The animal in turn (showing a cow grazing in the grass) eats this grass and is sustained by it. After awhile man comes around, kills the cow and feeds himself upon it.
The attack of any nation upon another nation and the aggression of any soul against other souls is natural, and this is according to nature, that everyone desires benefit for themselves and harm for others, like a fierce wolf that would tear apart all the sheep in the world if it could, and every animal wants all the grass in the field for itself.
… Can one say to the lion and wolf, why do you tear apart the sheep? No, this is the requirement of nature - might makes right - and this is the struggle for existence, that everything seeks benefit for its own life and harm and destruction for other beings.
For thought and discussion