The provided text presents a provocative analysis of humans, beasts, and domestic animals, suggesting a shift in human behavior towards a more "animalistic" or "beastly" state. Let's break down the core arguments and analyze them using relevant concepts and sources.

Analysis of the Provided Text

The text posits that humans are becoming "more honest," which is paradoxically interpreted as "animalistic" or "beastly" ("поживотињили," "озверили," "подивљали"). This interpretation hinges on a specific definition of "beast" (звер) versus "domestic animal" (домаћа животиња). A "beast" is characterized by physical advantages for survival, such as claws, teeth, or wings. In contrast, a "domestic animal" is described as lacking these "beastly" physical prerogatives and, therefore, seeks a host or hostess as a "parasite" through "amplification of expected traits (humanization)." The text concludes that "many people are just domestic animals."

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This analysis can be dissected into several key components:

  1. The "Honesty" Paradox and "Animalization": The text suggests that increased human honesty leads to "animalization." This is a counterintuitive claim, as honesty is generally considered a virtue and a hallmark of complex social interaction, often associated with higher cognitive functions rather than primal instincts. The term "animalization" here seems to imply a regression to a more primitive state, shedding societal norms and perhaps acting on raw impulses. However, the connection between honesty and this specific form of "animalization" is not explicitly elaborated upon, leaving room for interpretation. It could imply that being "honest" about one's true, perhaps less civilized, desires or intentions is what makes them "animalistic."
  1. Distinction Between "Beast" and "Domestic Animal":
    • Beast (звер): Defined by physical attributes for survival (claws, teeth, wings). This aligns with the common understanding of wild animals that rely on their natural physical capabilities for hunting, defense, and overall survival in their natural habitat [1].
    • Domestic Animal (домаћа животиња): Described as "deprived of 'beastly' physical prerogatives" and, consequently, seeking a "hostess or host" as a "parasite" through "amplification of expected traits (humanization)." This definition is more contentious. While domestic animals have indeed undergone selective breeding that often reduces their wild counterparts' physical prowess, they are not typically considered "parasites." Their relationship with humans is often symbiotic or commensal, providing benefits like food, labor, or companionship in exchange for care and protection [2]. The concept of "humanization" in this context seems to refer to adapting to human expectations and environments, which is a key aspect of domestication [3].
  1. Humans as "Domestic Animals": The concluding statement, "Many people are just domestic animals," is the most critical assertion. This implies that a significant portion of humanity, much like domestic animals, lacks the inherent "beastly" self-sufficiency and relies on others (a "host") for survival, adapting their behavior ("humanization") to fit societal expectations rather than acting with true, independent agency. This perspective could be interpreted as a critique of modern societal structures, where individuals might feel dependent on systems or other people, losing a sense of primal self-reliance.

Deeper Analysis and Relevant Concepts

The text touches upon several philosophical and sociological concepts:

  • Human Nature: The debate about whether humans are inherently good or evil, cooperative or competitive, has spanned centuries. The text leans towards a view where, when stripped of certain societal veneers ("honesty"), humans reveal a more primal, perhaps less noble, nature. This resonates with ideas from thinkers like Thomas Hobbes, who famously described human life in a state of nature as "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short" [4].
  • Domestication and Civilization: The process of domestication in animals involves genetic and behavioral changes that make them amenable to human control [3]. Applying this metaphor to humans suggests a form of societal "domestication," where individuals conform to norms and expectations, potentially losing their "wild" or independent spirit. Norbert Elias's "civilizing process" describes how European societies developed increasingly refined manners and self-control over centuries, moving away from more impulsive behaviors [5]. The text's "animalization" could be seen as a reversal or rejection of this civilizing process.
  • Parasitism vs. Symbiosis: The use of the term "parasite" for domestic animals is a strong, negative framing. While some relationships can be parasitic, the human-domestic animal relationship is more often described as symbiotic (mutually beneficial) or commensal (one benefits, the other is unaffected) [2]. Applying "parasite" to humans suggests a critical view of dependency and exploitation within human relationships.
  • Authenticity and Self-Reliance: The text implicitly values the "beastly" attributes of self-sufficiency and raw survival instincts. The "domestic animal" human, by contrast, is seen as lacking these and relying on external support, perhaps at the cost of authenticity. This aligns with existentialist philosophies that emphasize individual freedom, responsibility, and the creation of one's own meaning [6].

Conclusion

The provided text offers a provocative and somewhat cynical perspective on human behavior, suggesting that increased "honesty" reveals an "animalistic" side. It draws a sharp, though debatable, distinction between "beasts" (self-sufficient, physically equipped) and "domestic animals" (dependent, adapting through "humanization"). The core argument is that many humans have become akin to domestic animals, relying on others and conforming to societal expectations rather than embodying a wilder, more independent spirit. This analysis challenges conventional notions of human progress and morality, inviting reflection on authenticity, dependency, and the nature of civilization.


Authoritative Sources

  1. Wild Animal. [Britannica]
  2. Domestication. [National Geographic]
  3. Zeder, M. A. (2012). The broad spectrum revolution: a coevolutionary synthesis of Neolithic foundation. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 109(24), 8962-8967. [PNAS]
  4. Hobbes, T. (1651). Leviathan.
  5. Elias, N. (1939). The Civilizing Process.
  6. Sartre, J. P. (1943). Being and Nothingness.

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