As pointed out before, we humans are all of the same species: Homo sapiens, and despite assumed differences because of race, colour, nationality, religion, politics etc, we are all capable of tolerance and respect. As one species, we are also capable of interbreeding, despite these assumed differences. The human problems in this world are not the outcomes of our biology, but stem from beliefs, which are the outputs of our more evolved brains. Individual animals may oppress, fight and occasionally kill others of the same species in the pursuit of sexual dominance or access to territory, but we intimidate, oppress, enslave, slaughter and exterminate whole populations of our own species, for reasons that are not biologically rational, but based on beliefs. Beliefs are different ways of thinking that inevitably have many origins: parents, religion, nationality, history, education, and individual circumstances. Unfortunately, beliefs become much more entrenched than pure knowledge. Try convincing an anti-vaxxer why scientific knowledge is more valuable than belief in promoting and maintaining health!

Add passion and single-mindedness to belief, and the outcome is often fatal. The human animal is easily persuaded that there is only one way to reach a goal, that the goal is worth suffering or even dying for, and that other humans who think differently are not worthy of their existence. This tendency to extreme belief is easily harnessed and manipulated by unscrupulous leaders. The human brain, although capable of logical thought and valuable achievements, is all too easily persuaded by argument to reject respect for other human animals and to treat them as inferior and unworthy of help and compassion.

So, this is why I think we are only part way in our evolution. We are not fully developed compared with other mammalian species. Until we regard all humans as worthy of respect, until we protect and sustain all refugees, until we provide a full education and medical support to all of our citizens irrespective of their financial situation, until we treat everyone equally legally, we have some way to go compared with other animals. And, unless we advance to parity within our species, we will also suffer the fate of other species which failed to adapt, and go extinct.