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Maybe all living things are conscious enough to divide themselves apart from their peers, but we humans do it right. Our ego is strong. We fued with each other and the social organism.
And why not, because despite what we believe, our giant brains remember everything. Its recall drives our suffering, fueled by jealousy, greed, hate, and any other of our interpretations that justify wrongdoing.
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Eastern philosophy tends to consider death the end of ego, when one joins the Universe or consciousness. With its goal of pure emptiness, Zen takes yet another approach. It breaks ties with logic. The concept seems interesting, but the idea of living in a death-like state is just as scary. Then again, I don't understand Zen, so.
No one can fully understand our expressions of hate because we can’t even completely convey our thoughts. Speech limits the human experience. And although words are inadequate by nature, still they are our weapon — and our consolation.
What is the point of all the bickering? Is it that we are unbearably rich and too able to distract ourselves with toys from our mortality? Whether we think of our discomfort or not, our brain knows the penultimate fact. Awareness is funny that way. Be it the End, the Unknown, or whatever you call it, death is always near.
We struggle with ourselves and each other; we suffer through life fighting against details while we constantly mourn our own passing. Isn’t life tough enough without causing pain? Is there any better way? I don’t know the answer, but I question what my brain tells me is sensible.