Survival or Selfishness: The Fine Line of Human Nature
Growing up, none of us were raised as saints. We all maintain desires that function for our benefit yet obscure others' understanding. How do we explain our natural human inclination to prioritize ourselves over others? Was the human tendency to prioritize self over others created through learning or is it deeply embedded in our fundamental nature? Through self-interest humans learned to camouflage their needs beneath survival narratives. As my professor, Dr. Areesh, often says, we live in a realistic world, one where mankind is ultimately selfish. And I see it firsthand. I witnessed this as a college student. On most days, the chapel in college is a serene refuge for contemplation, stands empty. But on the days of exams, it is filled to the brim, as though the Gods can be summoned at will. The same happens with the library, usually deserted, now overcrowded with students desperately cramming in the final moments. I have realised that both faith and knowledge function as lifeboats because we only reach for them when we think we are drowning.
As I sit here under the scorching Bangalore sun in my college, my places of solace hijacked by academic and spiritual opportunists, I can’t help but wonder, has humanity always been like this? Do human beings naturally focus on their own needs first or has the world environment shaped this behavior? Humans have used selfish inclinations to survive since the beginning of time. Observing our predecessors we find competition for resources led them to survive first whereas others had to wait. When ambition grows into selfishness the person starts losing their understanding of being human.
Through the annals of time selfish individuals repeatedly fell due to their self-serving behavior. Napoleon Bonaparte drove toward unrestrained power until his empire became too extended which resulted in his exile. His deceptive ideology overwhelmed Adolf Hitler who led Germany into complete destruction. Throughout history and specifically in corporate settings we can see how Elizabeth Holmes of Theranos demonstrated how selfish conduct created disastrous results. Power gained through selfishness is like a house of cards, impressive, but bound to collapse. Self-centeredness holds no moral flaw since sometimes it becomes necessary for survival. Living an entire existence devoted to personal gains creates unending solitude. People establish genuine human bonds by understanding that satisfaction requires giving rather than taking.
Nations, like individuals, have followed this path of selfish ambition, leading either to their rise or downfall. The colonial empires of Europe like Britain, France, Spain. once thrived on their expansionist policies, exploiting resources and people for their own gain. But greed and overreach ultimately led to their decline, as oppressed nations fought back and the weight of unsustainable dominion crumbled their power. The Soviet Union, in its bid for absolute control and influence, prioritized expansion over stability, leading to its inevitable collapse. Nations that seek only to dominate without balance eventually become victims of their own hunger. Even today, global superpowers struggle with this paradox. The United States, in its quest to maintain hegemony, has engaged in economic and military interventions, sometimes securing influence, but at other times fostering resentment and instability. Meanwhile, China's rise as an economic giant has been driven by strategic self-interest, yet whether its ambitions will lead to sustainable dominance or eventual overextension remains uncertain.
We admire people who achieve greatness, but we revere those who lift others along the way. Leaders like Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi were not devoid of ambition, but they balanced it with selflessness, ensuring their pursuits served a larger purpose. Perhaps selfishness is ingrained in us, but that does not mean it cannot be tempered. Acts of kindness, empathy, and self-awareness can counterbalance the instinct to put ourselves first. The choice lies in our hands, whether to live merely for ourselves or to create a world where success is shared, not hoarded. "A selfish world is a lonely one, prosperity means nothing if there is no one to share it with." So, as I sit here in the sun, displaced from my usual places of peace, I wonder, are we truly bound by our selfish nature, or do we have the power to rise above it? That, dear reader, is for each of us to decide.
About Author
Jonathan thomas jai
A passionate International Relations enthusiast from Bangalore,I've honed my diplomatic skills through Model United Nations events,gaining insights into global issues and the power of cooperation. My journalism internship at Dailyhunt deepened my understanding of the crucial role of free press in democracy. Currently a student at St. Joseph University and a writer for OneIndia, I balance my academic pursuits with a love for drumming, debating, and reading. My experiences have ignited a desire to pursue International Relations, aiming to contribute to positive change in India and beyond while advocating for press freedom and informed discourse.