Humanity is violent. Why single out Pirates?

Pirates are not unique in their use of violence. They are often are viewed as the villain in the story, but the truth is everyone is the villain. The wealthy, the noble, the holy, the politicians were all using violence, torture, brutality to force their will. They were all humans who hurt other humans. Sometimes joining as one force in a hateful, homicidal cause.

The human race has a savage history. From the crusades and Spanish Inquisition to Colonialism, Privateering, tribal wars and sexual abuse by the afore mentioned groups, our species has demonstrated ruthlessness across class, race, religion, and age.

Until recent history people have not been going to therapy nor restraining their impulses and communicating their feelings. Studies show those raised in violent environments or who are abused perpetuate a standard of violence. While this is true in childhood abuse cases it is also relevant if a whole society is living in danger and experiencing trauma as a component of daily life.

Humans are animals. We have certain instincts wired in or brain because we have been living in a more dangerous environment. In the time span of evolution we have lived hundred thousands of years in the wild at the mercy of ecological disasters, scarcities, and predator/ prey relationships. Under the threatening conditions of nature either you kill or be killed. You protect or take food, shelter, water or you become nutrients for the next life. You are fighting for your most basic needs to be met.

We have constructed a civilization of rules and eliminated the predator threat either through development of weapons or the effect our industrial physical destruction of natural habitats had on animal populations. Through these mechanisms and advancements in medicine and technology our society has been able to globally attain physiological and safety needs for a large portion of people. According to Maslow’s Heirarchy of Needs this base level must be met before the needs of love, a sense of connection, respect, friendship, or desire to be one’s best self can be met.

In the 21^st century a larger percent of the population is existing where resources do not feel threatened, so we have different values and expectations of community to reflect this.

The culture and environment during the Golden Age of Piracy in the 17^th and 18^th century was more cutthroat and deadly than our society today. Therefore we cannot expect people of this time, including pirates, to the current laws and views on violence. The code of conduct of this time period was violence. The pirate code was violent as were the laws and punishments of the European governments on its citizens.

Sources:

Roser, Max. “War and Peace.” Our World in Data, 13 Dec. 2016, ourworldindata.org/war-and-peace.
Cordingly, David. Under The Black Flag. Harcourt Brace & Co., 1995.
Stockton, Frank R. Buccaneers and Pirates. Dover Publications, 2007.