108 billion homo-sapiens have walked the earth since their emergence 50,000 years ago, according to estimates by Population Reference Bureau. Through the centuries, they have created intricate societies, which value adaptation and survival(Stern). This instinctive behavior is the root of great empires, power, and prestige, often at the expense of others. The ruthless nature of society insinuates competition and malicious behavior, destroying morality and compassion. Competitive societal culture constructs vile motivators and prejudice, which manifesting destructive ambition.
Motivation, or the desire for satisfaction, is the root of societal competition encouraging vicious behavior. The existence of basic, psychological, and satisfactory needs was first theorized by A.H. Maslow, who created the “triangle of the hierarchy of needs” in his novel, A Theory of Human Motivation. People cannot survive without food, water, and shelter, however, these resources are limited, creating competition. Through violent measures, individuals are able to achieve satisfaction leaving others to the parish. As moral decency is disregarded to achieve satisfaction, individuals will go to violent measures to be content. William Golding explores the origin of vile behaviors in his book Lord of the Flies. Without civilization and society, the boys in his story exhibit nauseating, animalistic behavior. However, Golding’s belief that laws and society prevent heinous actions is misguided. On the contrary, civilization creates vile and destructive competition, leading to the murderous behavior the boys exhibit. The immense demand for gratification is fueled by a competitive society, which encourages individuals to take all necessary measures to achieve success. In fact, World War II, which Golding’s story is inspired by, is the epitome of consequences that arise from the desire to satisfy these needs as Germany attempted to manifest global superiority, instigating the murder of twenty million people. The conflict between Germany and the allied powers was initiated by the need for self-actualization, and rendered violent due to a cutthroat social construct (Merriman). Both went to horrific lengths in order to achieve supremacy reveal this pressure to achieve satisfaction constructs a toxic, destructive environment. The need for satisfaction is attributed to a variety of behaviors, however, most individuals do not behave in the exact same manner, revealing it is influenced by other factors as well.
Behavior is also dependent on social contentions, such as racial and gender prejudices which contradict basic morality. Brent Staples, an African American journalist with a Ph.D. in psychology, discerns how racial discrimination shapes individual behavior in “Black Men and Public Place.” He describes an encounter with a woman as she runs away thinking of, “herself [as] the quarry of a mugger, a rapist, or worse” (411). The woman’s actions stem from the fundamental motivation to remain safe. Nonetheless, her actions are influenced by millennia of discrimination towards people of color. This racist ideology is the result of a merciless community, as it discourages minorities for individual benefit. Similarly, sexism, derived from the misconception that women are biologically inferior to men, affects the social treatment of both sexes. Women are in fact not biologically disadvantaged compared to men. They live longer and are far better suited for disaster situations (Steinem). Despite this, women are heavily discriminated upon. The fallacious argument of female subordination has existed for centuries and is the basis of the conflict in Shakespeare’s, Much Ado About Nothing, written in 1598. When Claudio accuses his fiance, Hero, her identity as a woman renders her completely defenseless against his accusations despite her innocence(4.1). Even her father destains her, bitterly exclaiming, “do not live, Hero, do not open thine eyes” (4.1.23). Years of injustice cause women to be the subject of disgusting attacks and remarks. In this case, a father wishes death upon his daughter due to his fear of an impaired reputation. The psychological need for belonging motivates his actions in part, although, social standards are more consequential. This prejudice still exists today and is prevalent, especially in professional settings, referred to as institutionalized sexism. Society discourages women from leadership at an early age and women who gain power and resented due to the insecurities of powerful men (NPR Staff). This interferes with the need to be loved, so women rarely take up leadership roles. Thus, innate motivators combined with social prejudices dictate human behaviors. The competitive nature of society makes behavior far more hostile, averting certain groups from achieving success based on baseless claims. Therefore, social bias originates from the desire to triumph at the expense of others and subjugates certain peoples so that others can prosper; it is the result of the ambitious desires of powerful individuals.
A competitive society insinuates ambition, thus forcing individuals to adopt ambivalent morals and gain power at the expense of others. Ambition is dissatisfaction “with what we already know and can do” (Brim), which creates pressure to grow and improve. This pressure increases as a consequence of the instinctive thirst for power and control. Ambition, derived from the innate need for success, is not solely destructive, however, the increase in power is corruptive. In fact, people are more likely to take more risks due to “[an] elevated perception of themselves after assuming a position with more power”(Rigololiso). Ambition, derived from the innate need for success, is not solely destructive, however, the increase in power is corruptive. Thus,“[appropriate ambition], must have a higher purpose beyond greed", yet, avarice usually exceeds morality creating problems (Cummings). Morality hinders malicious actions, but it is dismissed to satisfy internal ambitions. In Shakespeare’s tragedy, Macbeth reflects the consequences of relentless ambition as the main character, Macbeth meets his subsequent demise. Initially, Macbeth was a successful hero and adored by his peers. Nevertheless, the thirst for power sends him into a murderous frenzy where he kills who stand in his way complete domination. Macbeth’s story is a cautionary tale, as it is essential to maintain morality in the face of enticing power and control. Therefore, every individual has the potential to overcome the moral barriers that hinder malicious acts if they can find justifications via the satisfaction of internal ambition.
Human behavior is the result of both socioeconomic and cultural factors as well as intrinsic motivations created by the desire to fulfill needs. A cutthroat society insinuates incredibly vile and reckless behaviors towards others in a desperate attempt to attain power and control. This creates a system where those who are willing to pursue their ambition at the expense of others are allowed to succeed, leading to the success of some at the expense of others. But all 108 billion homo-sapiens weren’t created this way, it is the consequence of a competitive society. As a result, people today have no regard for those around them, and go to horrific lengths to achieve their goals. It is unfortunate to know this society is so malicious. One should consider this when pursuing their own ambitions and be conscientious of their morality.
Works Cited
Bloom, Paul, and Matthew Jordan. “Are We All 'Harmless Torturers' Now?” The New York
Times,
The New York Times, 9 Aug. 2018,
Brim, Gilbert. “Ambition” Psychology Today, 1992, pp 48-93 Proquest, 1 Sep. 2019 Web.
Burgess, Cris, M.A. "Why Do People Behave In The Way They Do." Why Do People
Behave In
The Way They Do. University of Exeter, 1 Oct. 1999. Web. 06 Apr. 2016.
Golding, William, and Edmund L. Epstein. Lord of the Flies. Penguin Books, 2016.
NPR Staff. "'Lean In': Facebook's Sheryl Sandberg Explains What's Holding Women
Back." NPR.
NPR, 11 Mar. 2013. Web. 27 Feb. 2015.
Maslow, A.H. “A Theory of Human Motivation.” Classics in the History of Psychology: Special
Collections: Institutions of Early Professional Psychology, Psychological Review, Aug.
2000.
Merriman, John M. A History of Modern Europe: from the Renaissance to the Present. W.W.
Norton & Company, 2014.
Rigoglioso, Marguerite. "The Thought of Acquiring Power Motivates People to Act." Insights
by
Stanford Business, Stanford Graduate School of Business, 1 Dec. 2008,
Hoyt, Alia. "How Jealousy Works." How Stuff Works. HowStuffWorks.com, 4 June 2008.
Web. 06 Apr. 2016.
Robertson, Ian H., Ph.D. "The Power Struggle of Relationships." Psychology Today. Sussex
Publishers, LLC, 25 Nov. 2012. Web. 06 Apr. 2016.
Shakespeare, William, Barbara A Mowat, Paul Werstine, and Folger Shakespeare Library. The
Tragedy of Macbeth. Simon & Schuster paperback edition. Simon & Schuster
Paperbacks, 2009.
Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616. Much Ado about Nothing. London ; New York :Penguin,
2005.
Print.
Staples, Brent. “Black Men and Public Spaces.” A Multicultural Reader, 2nd ed., Perfection
Learning, 2008, pp. 410-414.
Steinem, Gloria. “Testimony Before the Senate Hearings on the Equal Rights Amendment.”
CommonLit.1970. Accessed 19 April 2019
Stern, P. C., O. R. Young, and D. Druckman. "Human Consequences and Responses." Global
Environmental Change: Understanding the Human Dimensions. By P. C. Stern.
Washington, D.C: National Academy, 1992. N. pag. Human Consequences and
Responses. CIESIN. Web. 6 Apr. 2016.
Comments