The Instinct of War

By Professor Wael Al-Kurdi

Since the days of ancient Rome, when condemned men were thrown into arenas with hungry lions to be torn apart alive. At the same time, spectators, consumed by a morbid sense of delight, laughed hysterically in the ears of those being devoured, amplifying their torment twofold…
And since the days when guillotines were erected in bygone times to sever the heads of rebels from their bodies before the eyes of crowds—men and women alike—gathered in dusty squares bearing silent witness to the cruelty and injustice of humanity…
Many have crafted dark philosophies about the instincts of mankind. They claimed that humans are inherently inclined toward evil, with the love of conflict and fighting deeply rooted in their instincts. It’s no wonder that war has often defined human existence and relations, where man is a wolf to his fellow man, and all are in a perpetual war against all. Such thinkers long sought solutions to curb human tyranny, aiming to prevent these primal wars from obliterating humanity altogether and to ensure that laws, rights, and duties prevail.
Yet, despite the dominance of laws and boundaries among nations, we continue to witness how this primal instinct for war refuses to be suppressed. It manifests repeatedly across eras and in various settings, taking countless forms. Wars erupt, cities and villages burn, and thousands—if not millions—of lives are lost. The faraway and the near alike fall victim to these raging conflicts, often for the most trivial reasons. The motives may vary, but war remains war.
For this reason, whoever first inspired humanity to channel this deadly instinct into football deserves to be celebrated as a hero of humanity. Through football—and similar competitive sports—the instinct for war among the children of Adam was redirected toward peaceful ends. Football fields became arenas where this instinct could be satisfied without wounds, death, or destruction. People battled on these fields without bloodshed.
At the same time, football has unveiled much of this hidden instinct, as seen in the fervour of massive crowds of fans. Their passion often reaches such heights that individuals may lose their sense of self in a near-mystical (or hysterical) state, behaving in ways they never would outside the stadium. In those moments, loyalty and love for their team blend into an emotional battlefield.
By addressing this dangerous human instinct, football has swiftly evolved into a significant force influencing economies, social dynamics, and even politics. It has become a component of modern diplomacy. No longer just a leather ball pursued by 22 men, football has turned into the language of contemporary war.
But one must wonder: If the overwhelming tide of fanaticism in the love and practice of football continues to grow unchecked, might it someday transform from its peaceful state into a battleground of wounds and bloodshed—more brutal than wars fought with cannons and guns?