A fishy view of zoology !

           In trying to explain the bizarre behavior of teen killers and

    mass murderers, Herbert Rakatansky, M.D. , gives Projo readers a

    fishy view of zoology ( " Origins of 'evil' behavior " - July 10 ) .

             Evolution , it seems, has not caught up with SOME members

    of the human race: " The tendency toward violence and aggressive

    behavior was probably an important survival tool in prehistoric

    times. "

            But the good thinks there is hope for them if just do the

    right thing.

             Is the military composed of atavistic individuals? Are

    pacifists the most advanced product of the ongoing evolutionary

    process ?

              I accept the insights of Charles Darwin but even he realized

    that his great discovery  was almost useless in explaining social

    phenomena .

             The " natural " aggressive instincts of  creatures is

    rarely IRRATIONAL . The creatures are invariably competing for food

    or mates - or defending themselves from equally aggressive enemies.

            Does a " sane " monkey ever kill his very companions and then

    himself ? Would a " philosopher "  monkey explain the  behavior of the

    EVIL ONE as " atavistic " - more suitable to an earlier age ?


              In this matter of teen killings there is no escape from

    abnormal psychology. And no escape from the social psychology fostered

    by a very competitive  capitalist society - which breeds a few WINNERS

    and many LOSERS .

             Our very society is in many ways INSANE !