[steego]

How would humans experience revenge differently? What makes you think revenge isn’t an instinct in humans?

I recall reading (the book escapes me), that just about all animals employ a Tit-for-Tat mechanism for dealing with other animals of the same species that cheat.

Revenge is a very useful social tool, especially against other species threatening their offspring.

[adventured]

> What makes you think revenge isn’t an instinct in humans?

An instinct is something you have no choice over, it's automatic.

Humans very clearly have a choice as to whether they pursue revenge or not. If someone wrongs me in a given way, I can choose how to respond, or to not respond at all; and I can spend as much time as I like (decades if I choose to) pondering on that. It's doubtful these monkeys function quite at that level.

It's unknown whether, for example, these monkeys have any choice in the matter. Their programming may be purely instinctual when it comes to a revenge response.

[Amezarak]

> An instinct is something you have no choice over, it's automatic.

I think this is a common but entirely wrong model, and I'm not sure why people hold it.

Do you think humans have no instincts? I would argue exactly the opposite, humans, like all animals, are driven almost entirely by instinct, whether it's prosocial instincts causing you to have a moral code much like those around you, inspiring guilt and shame when you break it, or causing you to feel a need to talk to people and comment on Internet stories, reproductive instincts driving you to seek a mate, or survival instincts to ensure a regular food supply.

I think it works exactly the same way in all animals. They are equally capable of making choices, because choice is a preconscious thing, not something that occurs as a result of careful, reasoned intellect. Obviously, humans are capable of making more informed choices, but "reason" is mostly a post-hoc rationalization engine.

[jimmyed]

Dawkin's The ancestors tale?