A comment, regarding the theory of unified tribal response
Preface
The idea behind this post, isn’t new and won’t be “news” to anyone acquainted with philosophy, psychology or sociology. It may however provide grist for discussion and perhaps, stimulate someone with greater ability than mine, to lead a fruitful discussion.
I wrote it on November 7th, 2023, prior to joining SUBSTACK: it was written as a reminder of the origins of tribal emotion, not as a comment on the current struggle between Israel and Hamas and especially, not as a political statement.
Now, in August 2025, the “war” continues: both sides have legitimate claims to sovereignty and legitimate cause for complaint; but without declaring right or wrong, it is high time that both sides reach the conclusion that “enough is enough!”
The Controversy
The controversy regarding Israel’s right to defend itself, vs. the Palestinians’ complaints of discrimination and underprivileged status, Continues to be a conversational “hot potato”. Each side finds it difficult to appreciate the other’s attitude and reactions.
Obviously, without detailing one argument or the other, a disconnect exists: an instinctual, reflexive, psychological “knee-jerk response”, which renders each unable to understand the other, or to appreciate the reasons for their opponents’ inability to see their point of view.
Perhaps, in the name of mutual understanding, we should examine the reasons for our failure to reason; but such examination would necessitate protracted explanation, inevitably leading to further argument. It might be as well therefore, simply to provide an example and perhaps an explanation, of the origins of unified tribal response.
An Example Minimises Discussion
Sometimes, example saves discussion. Below, paraphrased for brevity, is an excerpt from my Sci-Fi novel, entitled “XCRATH!, penned in 1998.
Background to the story
A human spaceship has landed on what appears to be an ideal planet, which turns out to have been colonized previously by the XCRATH, a hyper-intelligent, insectiform, almost superhuman race.
After more than half a year, all is going well. Inter-species communication and mutual cooperation are progressing; but suddenly another spaceship appears, bearing a small group from a rival tribe, the XCRATH’s ancient enemy, the XCRAEET.
Xcinintorr, the Master of the invaded region, seeks advice from his Guru.
The Excerpt
Xcnintorr closed the door behind him and, bowing to the elder of all elders, said, “Greetings, father of my father’s father! I need your wisdom.”
“Greetings, leader of our house.” replied the old one. “Welcome to my space.
I observed your battle with the aliens: you maneuvered well, but I feared for you. They are quick and strong: they are truly awesome.”
“It is a pity that they are our mortal enemies,” said Xcnintorr.
“That is a mature perception,” said the ancient one. “Perhaps we Xcrath and Xcraeet do not need to remain enemies; there is no good reason to continue our ancestors’ feuds, four thousand years later.”
“Guide me, Great Grandfather!” said the Master of house seven. “My anger rises, unbidden, as my enemies approach. My mouth says things my mind has not directed. I speak the old language reflexively. I cannot think. I am possessed!”
“Our history runs deep,” the sage replied. “In the passage of consciousness to her child, a mother gives her own memories in detail, with her individual experiences woven like threads upon the base of her emotional responses.
Her own mother’s memories are passed on in lesser detail; but on a firmer base of feeling, and so on. Each preceding generation’s memories are represented less vividly, but with greater emotion. That is why the strongest loves and fears and angers of our ancient past mislead our deepest consciousness, to uncontrolled emotion”.
“I had not taken that line of thought,” admitted Xcnintorr.
Unified tribal response
“The community of elders has always been aware of the trait. It is the basis of the theory of unified tribal response,” the elder continued. “it is the reason for our recommendation that siblings be placed in separate houses. The principle is well known and universally accepted, but never before did we have so graphic a demonstration of its truth. Your confrontation with the aliens was exquisitely interesting.”
“I am happy to have provided my esteemed elders with some small diversion,” said Xcnintorr, wryly. “I have a basic understanding of the theory; but I would benefit from detail, sire.”
“I am sure that you understand it as well as I do: it isn’t complicated,” the elder replied. “But since you ask, we theorise that the more ancient the memory, the more basic and unadulterated the emotion engendered. Thus, the most distant events produce pure feelings of love or hate, despair or joy: the purer the passion, the more uniform is its expression by all members of the tribe. For this reason, a group uniformly exhibits identical responses to ancient stimuli. Music, especially the drumbeat, is a prime example. Need I say more?”
Xcnintorr rose, and bowed, saying softly: “I thank you, Xcmorn, for your insight. I hear you clearly. Understanding is the basis of reform: mutual understanding is the solution, the salvation, for our children’s children”.
“Exactly!”, Xcmorn replied.
There, in a nutshell, is the “disconnect”
Perhaps if everyone understood the origin of uniform tribal emotion, it would be easier to see our opponents’ point of view. If we could, the chronic angst which ruins the life-experience of so many of us would be relieved. In my view, a civil means of resolving conflict, both international and interpersonal, would at once banish collective anxiety and eliminate the individual’s stress – that stress which predisposes all to illness.
the specter of war and relieve the stress which makes so many of us ill!
