The author suggests violence is a potential in everyone, influenced by culture and societal norms. Media may impact aggression, while history shows violence as a common conflict resolution method. The role of cultural beliefs is crucial in deciding violence as an action.
- The author's view of violence suggests that it is something that is potentially present in everyone but is moderated by personal decisions and societal norms on whether it is right to act on these impulses.
- Cultural factors importantly influence what is perceived as a threat and whether aggressive behavior is condoned or condemned.
- The idea is that while humans may not be 'innately aggressive', there is an innate tendency to respond aggressively to perceived threats, which is shaped by the values and expectations of the surrounding culture.
- The introduction of tools such as the media, including television and video games, poses questions on their influence on aggressive behavior and normalization of violence, particularly among the youth.
- Moreover, the historical context emphasizes that violence has often been used to resolve conflicts, and the text's conclusion reflects on the role of destructive cultural beliefs in perpetuating violence and warfare.
- Overall, the students' question touches on the themes of human nature, the impact of culture on behavior, and the potential for societal ideals to shape our actions, especially in moments of conflict or perceived threats.
- It invites a reflection on how people, informed by their environments and experiences, choose to act in the face of violence, both in historical contexts and in the modern world.