Why should we study human behavior?

Why should we study human behavior?

(Writers Note: This question should be better phrased, “Why Shouldn’t we study human behavior under the current philosophic beliefs and trends?”)

Outside of a defensive measure you’ve got me on this one (smile). One would guess ‘warfare’ is the main reason for the study of human behavior – i.e. warfare meaning any type of contention between one human and another. Madison Ave. studies it to determine how best to get people to spend their money in some way they might not. Governments study it to determine how best to dominate their citizens. Judges for the purposes of determining how likely a violator of the law is likely to be a repeat offender. Police and law enforcement for the same reasons. Basically its study is to determine why people will do what they will or won’t do, i.e. gain a benefit or avoid a loss, and then try to present such a choice to beguile one into changing their minds.

It’s also used as a study to convenience the idea of many ways and reasons (excuses) for behavior not within their mean of acceptability. Thus it then can be used to ‘label’ groups, beliefs, stimuli and other factors of everyday living. Self justification in choosing that the world is complex and not able to be understood is one real result of the study of human behavior. The study of human behavior dismisses without regard what they don’t like in history – either written or unwritten. Thus Cain might’ve been depressed – annoyed – afraid – on drugs – when he killed Able (if in fact this really happened) but certainly there was no outside influence such as a Satan or a Devil to make him do it. Even here they’ll accept a Devil as a tormentor of his mind – but nothing more real than that.

One must always remember the premise behind the Greek School of Philosophy was not ‘truth’ but ‘rhetoric. Any altruism strived for in the study of human behavior is quickly subjected to the world and to be used to manipulate others. In the book the ‘Hunt for Red October’ by Tom Clancy, 1st ed. 1984 on p.25 what I’m trying to say is said, “As a boy, Ramius sensed more than thought that Soviet Communism ignored a basic human need. … The good of the People was laudable enough goal but in denying a man’s soul, an enduring part of his being, Marxism stripped away the foundation of human dignity and individual value. This is then part and parcel of what those who replace the study of human behavior do as well – i.e. casting aside the human soul – in exchange for a ‘thing’ to be used and manipulated for the world’s good.

One of the read books on University Campus’ and other areas of elite learning is “I and Thou” by Marin Buber, 1970 ed. Translated by Walter Kaufmann. In the introduction Dr. Kaufmann dispels any and all connections to ‘meaning’ or ‘Prophets’ and what the Old or New Testament teaches. He goes further to conclude that Buber like Hegel believe in no otherworldliness – thus it only the here and now – with no hope of anything beyond. His final conclusion is, “Ich und Du speaks to men and women who have become wary of promises and hopes: it takes its stand resolutely in the here and now. It is a sermon on the words of Hillel; “If I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?”

To finish the idea of Ramius in Red October, “It also cast aside the objective measure of justice and ethics which, he decided, was the principal legacy of religion to a civilized life.” The confusion presented in the worldly religions of the day thus work hand in hand with those who are currently giving us their treasures of human behavior.


Copyright © 2009 – cji