The Seville Statement on Violence

The Seville Statement on Violence was adopted a few years ago by an international group of scientists to counter the notion that violence is biologically determined.  It was subsequently adopted by UNESCO. 

The statement contains five core ideas. These ideas are:

1.  "It is scientifically incorrect to say that we have inherited a tendency to make war from our animal ancestors."

2.  "It is scientifically incorrect to say that war or any other violent behaviour is genetically programmed into our human nature."

3.  "It is scientifically incorrect to say that in the course of human evolution there has been a selection for aggressive behaviour more than for other kinds of behaviour."

4.  "It is scientifically incorrect to say that humans have a 'violent brain'."

5.  "It is scientifically incorrect to say that war is caused by 'instinct' or any single motivation."

The statement concludes: "Just as 'wars begin in the minds of men, peace also begins in out minds.  The same species who invented war is capable of inventing peace.  The responsibility lies with each of us."

--From Wikipedia

It is astonishing that a group of self-designated scientists would come up with this kind of dogmatic statement.  This is more of a homily than any elucidation of scientific principles. 

Science is empirically based; not a matter of faith or wishful thinking.  And the origins of violence, whatever they might be, are properly empirical questions.  The good subscribers to the Seville Statement, in effect, published a Creed, possibly to be recited at appropriate times.  In that way, they join the company of the so-called "creation sciences."

Here's a reductio ad absurdum of their statement:

1.  "It is scientifically incorrect to say that we have inherited a tendency to make music from our animal ancestors."2.  "It is scientifically incorrect to say that scales or any other violins behaviour is genetically programmed into our human nature."

3.  "It is scientifically incorrect to say that in the course of human evolution there has been a selection for musical behaviour more than for other kinds of behaviour."

4.  "It is scientifically incorrect to say that humans have a 'violin brain'.

5.  "It is scientifically incorrect to say that music is caused by 'instinct' or any single motivation."

The statement concludes: "Just as 'violin music begin in the minds of men', sonatas also begins in our minds. The same species who invented music is capable of inventing sonatas. The responsibility lies with each of us."

--David Seville, the Barber of Seville and Keeper of the Chipmunks.