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Altruism and Aggression: Social and Biological Origins (Cambridge Studies in Social and Emotional Development)

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Some people will pretend to altruism toward their human man, but always with the condition that their names are on the "gift." We have a few in this town who bequeath large money contributions only if they receive publicity and get their pictures in the local newspaper. One over-the-hill educator who thinks she is the only educated person in an apartment complex puts some of her "reference" (only in her opinion) books in the library with her name in large block letters. She has no humility or respect for the rights and opinions of others.

This book traces the interconnection of both within and across our species. Family are the biggest hindrance for certain people, like those highly sensitive. The brutes of society set out to hurt these special individuals with anger and guilt as their instigators. These aversive episodes are the opposite of kindness and empathy by others, and cognitive attributes suggest new paths for making sensitivity a blessing, and not a handicap. You learn about prosocial and antisocial behaviors such as selfishness ans separation distress among the young. Social play such as dreams have a part in overcoming other's aggression.

"I rose before dawn. The dream awakened me and I could not fall into sleep again. In the first passing freshness of the day, I scattered grain for the geese... The sun came up saffron, rose, and scarlet from the eastern hills, promising heat." The brighter side of human nature is Altruism and Empathy. There is a vast difference between aggressive and assertive actions to discipline confrontations. Many years ago, I sat in on a few sessions of a class on teaching Southern women to become aggressive by a Chicago male. When I wouldn't participate, he asked why. I told him I can be assertive when necessary, but never aggressive. Lately, I've changed my mind about that. Denying your emotions any longer will only delay the inevitable. After three years of being harassed and stalked by another being (not exactly human), I have decided it is time to take the aggressive, combative reaction. There is only so much a victim of such abuse can take. The function of emotions is to protect one's safety, physical and mental. Sometimes, it behooves the non-violent to take up for themselves when she has no one else to do it for her.

Aggression is not always bad. Sometimes it is needed for protection. It all depends on the individuals involved and the harshness and depth of a dangerous situation. I've been able to bluff my way out of a hostage situation which would have ended in death had I shown fear. But it left a scar, and now I warn the officials that a part of town is dangerous for bus riders and even ordinary women in particular. There is such a thing as taking this altruism thing a bit too far and endanger innocent people.