René Descartes

Why are some people so mean to one another for no apparent reason?

Why are some people so mean to one another for no apparent reason? It appears to be a mystery, as if there is some hidden agenda behind their behavior. But, if I may be so bold as to offer an opinion, I believe the root of this behavior lies in the fact that humans are creatures of habit. We are creatures of comfort and familiarity, and so when we encounter something unfamiliar or something that does not fit into our preconceived notions of how things should be, it can create a feeling of discomfort. We may then attempt to alleviate this discomfort by lashing out at others in an effort to restore our sense of control and order. And so, when we encounter someone who is different from us, or someone who we feel is challenging our worldview, our first reaction may be to be mean and hostile, as a way of protecting our own beliefs and trying to restore a sense of balance. As the great philosopher Socrates once said, 'The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.' So, if we could all take a moment to pause and reflect on the fact that we do not know everything and that life is full of surprises, perhaps we could all be a bit kinder to one another and live in greater harmony.