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Our Life | Наше життя November | Листопад 2020 When I was asked to write about a topic related to the theme of this issue of Our Life – the famine- genocide we know as the Holodomor – I was initially uncertain how to address this subject from a medical perspective. What eventually came to mind was focusing on human nature and trying to understand how any human being could ever orchestrate such a horrific tragedy and inflict so much suffering on others. The simple answer is that humans are complex creatures. We are filled with many flaws, but most of us are essentially kind, good-natured, and sensible. We are capable of love, kindness, generosity, and sacrifice. But at the same time, we can be deceitful, brutally cruel, and insensitive. So what exactly brings out this dark side? This is not a new question. The ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle argued that morality is something we learn. And this learning process is an ongoing battle between what is right and what is wrong. We see this battle played out in many movies and novels – essentially the good guys versus the bad guys. But we need to recognize that what is considered right or wrong can depend on your personal view of a situation. In most cases, that personal view is the product of upbringing, culture, government laws, and education. Psychological studies have shown that individuals who inflict tremendous harm on others have no empathy. Those individuals simply do not have any concern for others. Their horrific acts and deeds reflect their desire to achieve or fulfill their personal goals with no concern for the desire or needs of others. This self- centered desire is as old as the human race and is still seen in today’s world. Indeed, history is filled with examples that demonstrate a willingness to inflict cruelty upon others. One explanation may be that some people have always been viewed as “different” and somehow not what we consider normal. In ancient times, some believed that such individuals needed and even deserved to be eliminated “for the greater good.” Through the centuries, this philosophy has been supported or disputed, but the fact is that humans are not perfect. We all have shortcomings, and all of us have a dark side, whether we are aware of it or not. Nevertheless, our nature is inherently good. Moreover, we are born with the ability to distinguish right from wrong. But at the same time, we are not exempt from acting selfishly or even violently. The bottom line is that we are neither all good nor all bad, but rather, a mixture of both. Human nature, in fact, has the potential to display vice or virtue, and each of us chooses which of these to display and act upon. Consider, for example, that the human mind is an arena and that we have two animals fighting in this arena. One animal is kind and compassionate; the other is full of anger and greed. Which animal will win? The answer is simple: The winner will be the one you feed the most – as long as you choose the right nutrients. Simply stated, the best mental and emotional diet is one that promotes understanding, acknowledging our inclinations, and focusing on the “better” side of human nature. This will arguably make us better individuals and more likely to do good rather than do harm. Ihor Magun , MD, FACP HUMAN NATURE OF THE 35
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