Question

In Philip K. Dicks story “The Gun,” space explorers land on a planet that was once inhabited by humans. What does the following excerpt tell us about the people who lived on the planet? “Only watch out. They fired on us once without even knowing who we were or what we came for. Do you suppose that they fought with each other? Perhaps they couldn't imagine anyone being friendly, under any circumstances. What a strange evolutionary trait, inter-species warfare. Fighting within the race!”

Answer 1

They (we) are aggressive creatures who have learned to trust no one but their own, and sometimes even lack that faith. Pack animals, with no goal other than to survive and thrive.

Answer 2

From this excerpt we can deduce that the humans that once inhabitated the planet were very violent and belligerent.

They were not tolerant and did not believe that any species could come with good intentions. This led them to fight with everyone, even with each other, which finally lead to their extinction.