Self-preservation - Philosophical Concept | Alexandria
Self-preservation, a term seemingly simple, encapsulates a profound and intricate drive: the instinctual or rational act of protecting oneself from harm, whether physical, psychological, or existential, a deeply ingrained inclination towards survival whose simplicity belies its perplexing complexity. Often conflated with selfishness, primal instinct or egoism, its nuanced applications across philosophy, biology, and psychology invite us to reconsider our understanding of its underlying motivations and moral implications.
References to self-preservation are interwoven throughout history with philosophers having grappled with its significance for millennia. While ancient writings don’t explicitly use the term "self-preservation" as it is understood today, the underlying concepts are evident in early philosophies such as Aristotle’s notion of eudaimonia, or human flourishing, and the Epicurean pursuit of pleasure as the avoidance of pain. By the 17th century, it gained considerable traction during the Enlightenment era. Thomas Hobbes, in Leviathan (1651), posited self-preservation as the foundational principle of human behavior and the very basis of social contracts. This pivotal era, marked by scientific revolution and political upheaval, provides a compelling backdrop to our understanding of self-preservation as the primary directive for human behavior and the need for governments to protect it. Icons from Socrates to Peter Singer have weighed in on this matter, contributing to humanity's "great conversation" on the core tenets of morality and survival.
Throughout history, the interpretation of self-preservation has evolved alongside cultural and intellectual shifts from ancient societies to modern times. From the existentialist angst of Jean-Paul Sartre, the social contract theory to modern moral psychology, we realize that the individual’s drive to preserve oneself intersects with questions. It also prompts discussions about the balance between personal survival and collective well-being. The evolution of philosophical thought has explored the concept of self-preservation in the context of objective morality and subjective morality, further challenging individual notions of moral reasoning. Modern psychology has added further layers of complexity, highlighting our bias in decision making and the existence of the cognitive bias of optimism that influences our behavior. Questions such as whether animals possess this instinct to the same extent as humans sparks further conversation. We can even see this in examples such as the experiment ethics surrounding the trolley problem, or the Wason test, and our inherent desire for survival shines clearly.
Today, self-preservation continues to resonate across diverse fields, from the study of evolutionary biology, to the ethics of AI, and the realm of climate change adaptation, shaping both our ethical discourse and technological innovations. From ethics in AI to philosophical anthropology in ethics, Self-preservation has been a topic that has continued to influence society to this day. As humanity faces unprecedented challenges, the principle of self-preservation encourages critical thinking about our responsibilities to ourselves, our communities, and future generations. How does the human instinct for self-preservation inform our understanding of what it means to be truly human amidst crises and transformations? As technological and environmental changes redefine the boundaries of what it means to survive, self-preservation remains a beacon and a provocation, beckoning us to reflect on what we protect, what we sacrifice, and why.