All of the evidence we have, points to our being the product of simple evolution. Occams razor. The mind we have is hardwired for a hunter gatherer existence. And it works really well to that end. But it is not specifically designed for abstract reasoning. So when we see human beings misbehaving by modern standards, in my opinion, that is simply a juxtaposition of the animal mind with the modern world of democracy and ethics which we created accidentally when we started developing abstract thought.
A good example of the conflict between our animal brain, and our modern existential brain, would be with regard to males. As pertains to the animal brain, the alpha male in all primates except one, controls the tribe. But our modern brain tells us this is unethical. Countries where the animal brain still controls the society clearly shows this innate behavior of gender inequality.
I don't think we engaged in very much abstract thought until we developed the alphabet. We didn't need it and the fact we can do it, is I think, pretty much a fortunate mistake. Most humans go through life functioning in a concrete world with their animal brain. Abstract thought requires great effort and takes a long time.
The quandary that the human species now finds itself in, is that it is much easier to create the sort of advanced technology that can destroy us, like nuclear weapons, then the ability to form sophisticated societies that can prevent that from happening.
The only solution to our predicament I am convinced, is massive education. Our country should immediately provide free preschool for every kid in the nation with a hot meal; and free community colleges with no entrance requirements. That will do more to safeguard the human species, increase productivity and decrease crime than anything else I can think of. History shows us quite clearly that the educated mind commits much less crime and is more productive than the uneducated mind. The education can be formal or informal it does not matter.
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