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I would like to explore a somewhat pessimistic thought: could it be that all actions, decisions, and even hopes of intelligent beings fundamentally originate from the will to survive? This perspective aligns with the idea that survival is not merely about physical continuity but is also deeply tied to the instinct to maintain happiness and well-being.
Expanding on this idea, the way this principle manifests varies depending on the level of intelligence. The simpler an organism, the more instinctively its actions are determined. For example, seeking food, avoiding danger, and reproducing are direct expressions of the survival instinct. However, as cognitive complexity increases, the expression of this instinct takes on more abstract forms. In the case of humans, choosing a career, forming relationships, and exploring philosophical questions may not seem like direct acts of survival. Yet, ultimately, they stem from the same fundamental drive—to sustain life and seek happiness.
This concept becomes even clearer in animals with simpler thought processes. For instance, a predator must hunt to survive, and prey must flee to avoid death. They do not hesitate at moral dilemmas or weigh complex choices; their actions are simple and precise, dictated by the singular goal of survival.
In contrast, human survival instincts become intertwined with emotions, social structures, and intellectual pursuits, making them more complex. People strive for success, seek artistic fulfillment, and ask philosophical questions. Yet, these actions can also be traced back to the fundamental motivation of maintaining life, minimizing suffering, and finding meaning.
If happiness is an evolved mechanism designed to reinforce behaviors beneficial to survival, then the pursuit of happiness is ultimately an extension of the survival instinct. Even self-sacrificial actions can be explained within this framework. A parent protecting their child enhances the likelihood of genetic survival, while an individual dedicating their life to a cause gains psychological fulfillment, which contributes to their mental survival. This suggests that survival is not only a physical endeavor but also a psychological one.
Ultimately, the simpler the thought process, the more clearly the principle of survival instinct is revealed. As cognition becomes more complex, survival strategies diversify, and even behaviors that appear unrelated to survival often serve the same fundamental purpose.