WHY?

Why?

To a student of physiology, the purpose of most organs in a human body is self-evident. The complex machinery aimed at maintaining the homeostasis, the optimal internal environment. Optimal for survival. These organs have evolved over millions of years and are very committed to doing only one thing. Keeping the person alive. At any cost.

Thus, it seems counter-intuitive, when a human, under the influence of few neurons in his cerebral cortex, decides to go against all his other organs; and kills himself.

The product of millions of years of struggle. That which, the humans think, keeps them at the pinnacle. The human intelligence. How can it violate the primary purpose? Why then, do humans still house in their cranium, that, which can destroy them?

The tiny neuronal threads. The tiny threads that can come together as a canvas depicting beautiful imagery. The tiny threads that can sound complex notes on the strings of a guitar. The tiny threads that can also wrap into a rope around one’s own neck. Why?

Why do humans have intelligence that far exceeds any other animal? The tool making ability that it gives them? The ability to modify their ecosystem? What explains the high price humans pay for their brains?

Of a similar kind is the question, why do birds have feathers? The first answer that comes to mind is, to fly. But the feathers have evolved to serve a different purpose. To keep the bird warm. Flight is an accessory function feathers help in.  The engineering of ecosystems and tools is the accessory function human intelligence helps in. Its primary purpose, to maintain a social structure.

A social structure, where the young learn and the wise teach. A social structure that acts as a suspension to the jolts and jerks of life. A social structure that brings together the best of each one, to the advantage of everyone.

The purpose of those tiny threads is to weave into each other to form a giant net, through which none can slip. And you would expect, the more intelligent the individuals that form a community, the bigger and stronger will be the net.

A group of doctors, selected for several characters, one of which is higher intelligence, should have the best social structure. That which protects each and every one of them. But do they?

Is professional efficiency the ultimate purpose of our intelligence? Is our success quantified by the number of degrees?

I remember a quote that I read somewhere:

If you want to walk fast, walk alone. If you want to walk far, walk together.