286 Self and the Phenomenon of Life
b2726 Self and the Phenomenon of Life: A Biologist Examines Life from Molecules to Humanity “9x6”territory, including fertile farmlands, hunting grounds, and herding
fields. War is also a means to capture slaves (as the Romans did), a
source of manpower and energy. Other human factors, such as ide-
ology, religion, and cultural differences, intensify and add layers of
complexity to the conflict. Unfortunately, advancement in civilization
does not mitigate the situation, but only magnifies the scale of war.
Fueled by population explosion and dwindling resources, fighting
among nations or human groups goes on. “A war that ends all wars”
has never materialized.
Almost without exception, great conquerors of the past were ruth-
less killers. Westerners speak of Genghis Khan and Attila the Hun with
terror, but Alexander the Great, much revered in Western culture, was
no more merciful. He ravaged Persepolis in Persia to ruin. According
to A. W. Benn, Alexander was “arrogant, drunken, cruel, vindictive, and
grossly superstitious. He united the vices of a Highland chieftain to the
frenzy of an Oriental despot.”^46 Such was Alexander the man, despite
two years of tutelage under Aristotle.
Fig. 12.4. Modern human warfare (World War II). Battleship hit by a bomb. [US Natl.
Arch.]