To an extent I agree with both accounts. But Im unsure about the pack predator thing.
We naturally fear death but I dont think we are afraid of all combat. Im sure most people feel comfortable with combat when they know they can easily dominate the opponent. All things that fight naturally seek out weaker opponents, even heavy weight boxers.
It may be our culture that gives us a regard for human life. Its definately the case that there is a lower regard for life and a tolerance for violence in cultures as opposed to others. It may be the customs and laws in our society that have instilled a fear of combat over time. Im not sure. Why do people still physically attack others?
Do we actually have a true, ingrained dislike of combat or is it a result of conditioning due to the fact that we all live within societies that promote other means of settling disputes? ....actually thinking about it as I type, we probably do fear physical combat but only because we fear harm (or ultimately death). Its interesting though because we combat each other through none physical means constantly - at work, in the street, in our cars and on the internet.
But when people do violently attack one another how do they do it? Meaning, do we always use the most violent methods we are master of, or are we afraid to use the most extreme methods because of fear or reprisal from the society that nurtures us?
I understand that members of a society all have different levels of inhibitions, tolerances and experiences of violence but what do you think about the mismatches in expression of violence? Before an attack we cant guess the level of violence thats coming at us so should Martial artists train to apply maximum effect techinque with immediacy or minimum requirement techniques that follow the course of the attack?