Genetic Basis of Human Struggle: Philosophico-Existential Perspective

Abstract

The concept of human struggle tries to explain the efforts that human beings make in order to survive. This paper investigated the genetic basis of human struggle. The objective of the study is to find out why human beings undergo constant struggles in life in order to survive. This paper evaluated human development from intra-uterine to extra-uterine life and a pool of related theories of human struggle for existence mainly from philosophico-existential perspective. The theories that were examined 
include Darwinian theory of natural selection and survival of the fittest, Spencer’s theory of social evolution, Malthusian population theory of struggle for existence, Hobbesian natural state of human struggle, Marxian dialectical materialism and historical evolution of class struggle as well as Nietzschean theory of Superman. Interestingly, all the theories agree fundamentally that humans strive to maintain their lives and their particular species too in existence. Though differing in their approaches, the findings reveal that the theories give credence to the fact that human struggle is incessant, and it is genetically based. This delineates the fact that there is a significant association between human struggle and inheritable genes. From their positions, it becomes obvious that all 
human struggles border on material needs to maintain life. It is mainly a competitive struggle over collective resources necessary for survival which classify the human species into strong and weak ones, whereby the strong have more adaptable features for their given environments which dispose 
them very fit to survive and transfer on their genes, while the weak die and have their species eliminated. The study also noted that the struggle for Africans also includes the efforts to keep in touch with the ancestors through maintenance of ancestral lineage actualized mostly in the procreation of male children. These findings have helped to understand why there is so much struggle in human life. Theoretically, it increases the knowledge of why humans behave the way they do. Practically, it will help those in environmental sciences to understand the implications of food and material supplies with regard to adequacy. Again, it will help those in behavioural and health sciences to adopt measures that will assist human beings in maintaining good health despite the ceaseless life struggles 
towards survival. It concluded with suggesting that man should ascribe profound meaning to his struggles in life, to keep mind and body together for more authentic and qualitative existence in promotion of human dignity, respect for life and peaceful living with others.