The characteristic human feature is not consciousness but conformism, and the characteristic result is religious war. Other animals fight for territory or food; Human beings, on the other hand, are the only ones in the animal kingdom that fight for their "beliefs."
In Michael Crichton's "The Lost World," he presents a thought-provoking perspective on human nature. Rather than defining humans primarily by their consciousness, he suggests that conformism is a more distinctive trait. This tendency to conform often leads to intense conflicts, particularly in the form of religious wars, which set humans apart from other animals that typically engage in battles for basic survival needs like territory or food.
Crichton argues that humans uniquely fight not just for tangible resources but for their beliefs and ideologies. This deep-seated conformity can result in devastating consequences, as it fuels conflicts driven by differing convictions. Therefore, through his insights, he highlights the complexities of human society and the darker aspects of our inherent nature.
