Are we other than our social systems?

     In my essay Homo Sapiens and Social Systems  I raise the question (#3) are we other than our social systems? 

     The differences, the changes, in our species, as seen in anthropological studies and some of my essays, is rather dramatic.  It wouldn't be the first time in scientific history that we differentiated between different groups of our species. For example, there were the homo erectus. <i>   We also distinguish between Neanderthal and Homo Sapiens although we find 1.5-2.1% Neanderthal-inherited genetic material among all non-African modern humans. <ii> Obviously the differences between pre-historic homo sapiens and modern homo sapiens is neither biologic nor genetic.  It must be something else; psychological, social, cultural.  I am toying with the idea of introducing a new name - homo complex - because our lives have become so complex that we can neither appreciate nor survive in a more simple surrounding.  Most people can not understand how Pamela and I live in the mountain or desert wilderness without all of the complexities of modern life.  Few of them would survive. I thrive.   

     We were taking a drive this evening. Pamela pointed out an old farm house we had both admired many times before and made the comment that it was so sad that there was no one to love the old place. I realized that it was too simple.  I'm sure it doesn't have a robot vacuum cleaner and most likely doesn't have a dishwasher or wifi with Alexa, or whatever her name is. It is a lovely place with lots of character and the basics comforts; water, electricity, and heat.  I'm afraid that someone is going to buy the land and tear down the lovely old house to build a complex modern dwelling. So sad.  

     Now, whether we have become Homo Complex as a result of our social system or our social systems reflect our transition could be a debatable issue.  My position is that we have been created by our social systems.  At first this doesn't make sense, but let me explain. 

     With the advent of farming we began to see the development of private property which led to a before unknown division of haves and havenots.  Beliefs in deities existed prior to this development but it would be hard to call it religion. The advent of organized religion seemed to coincide with the development of a ruling class - let's call it government to keep things simple. From earliest history we see government and religion working together to control the masses.  On occasions religion oppose their government but, if religion is successful in replacing the government they opposed, they are always in partnership with the new government. None of this is new information and it is easily documented. I'm not going to take the time to do the documentation. Let me direct those who are unaware of this to the history of Egypt and the development of the Pharaohs, the history of China, the history of the Roman Empire, the Ottoman Empire, the Holy Roman Empire and the development of modern Europe starting in the Middle Ages.  If you really want to get into it, start with  Lee, Richard B. & Richard Daly, ed. (2004R)  The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Hunters and Gatherers.  Cambridge Univ Press. 

     Religion, government and now capitalism all tell the people what they think, what is real, what is acceptable, what is desirable, what they should do, what they should not do, etc.  If you do not agree

 to this control you are currently in physical danger from people who have been so indoctrinated, so brainwashed that they might physically attack you because they have been told that to disagree with the systems makes you an enemy and it is okay to be cruel to an enemy.  If you do not believe this try publicly criticizing Christianity, the government - most specifically Donald Trump and the Republican Party, and/or capitalism.  The least you will receive is a severe reprimand. Many public figures receive death threats. Having witnessed the mob mentality and "it's okay to be violent to your opponents" espoused by the current US President, I hate to think what could be the worst to happen.

     I guess we could have a 'which-came-first' debate. Did people come up with the systems and concepts, or were the systems and concepts the creation of an elite few?  Can you imagine people as a group coming up with the idea 'hey, I think our god wants us to give the priest 10% of everything we have.'?  Or do you think it most likely came down from the priest, 'your god says that to do his work you are to give me 10% of everything you have.'  And how about women? Do you think they decided that they're inferior to men and should be treated like chattel? If we study history, do we ever see the general population develop a religion, government or an economy?  I don't think so.  Every scenario that pops into my mind one can trace the development, definition, etc., of a new system to an elite few. Also to pop into my mind was the famous quote from George Orwell's book, Animal Farm. "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others," proclaimed the pigs, who had become the elite and defined the new society with themselves in charge. <iii> 

     All said, it seems to come down to modern humans, homo complex, being the creation of our social systems.  Historically it does seem that the ruling classes and social elite always determined the beliefs and rules of the social systems.  It would therefore follow that we are actually other than our social systems; viz. that the social systems have developed as a control mechanism with the rules being made by an elite few.  

FOOTNOTES:   

<i>  Homo erectus is an extinct species of the human lineage, formerly known as Pithecanthropus erectus, living in the Pleistocene period about two-million years ago. They had an erect stature, a well-evolved postcranial skeleton, smallish brain, low forehead, and protruding face. Homo Erectus are believed to be the direct ancestors to several human species, such as Homo Heidelbergensis, Homo Antecessor, Neanderthals, Denisovans, and Homo Sapiens.  (Sources: Wikipedia. Dictionary.com.  humanorigins.si.edu (Smithsonian)) 

<ii>   Wikipedia.  Also see www.humanorigins.si.edu (Smithsonian) and Neanderthal DNA in Modern Human Genomes is not silent at www.the-scientist.com.  

<iii>  Orwell, George. (1945). Animal Farm.  Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. New York.