We explain what coexistence is, the question of whether human beings are selfish or caring by nature, and the guidelines for coexistence.
What is coexistence?
Coexistence is the physical and peaceful coexistence between individuals or groups They must share a space. It is then about life together and the harmony sought in the relationship of people who for some reason must spend a lot of time together.
The etymology of the term refers to Latin, the prefix 'with'and the word'experience', which means the act of existing. In the same way that confuse either compare They are words that presume, at least, the existence of more than one entity that takes the place of another or has some kind of link; for coexistence to exist, a plurality of people is needed.
Experience is understood as the set of actions, feelings, concerns, values and ideas that constitute the essence of a human being. When you combine the two words, you get the relationship of people with the social groups they belong to in a framework in which contradictions or tensions will necessarily appear.
Medicine, psychology and sociology consider that a good coexistence is a fundamental factor for good emotional health but also for the physical integrity of people.
Psychology is responsible for determining the coexistence disorders that individuals may have and helps solve them, trying to interpret if there is any internal cause that leads to that situation.
See also: Coexistence rules
Are human beings selfish or caring by nature?
The first contradiction surely comes when the question in the title of this section is asked.
- The philosopher Thomas Hobbes, when he postulated how people and states should behave, started from the basis that people are by nature selfish.
- Other thinkers, such as Robert Sussman, affirm that the human species is inherently supportive and cooperative, and can be selfish according to the personal and cultural path it takes.
Beyond philosophical positions, almost all the ways in which people have organized themselves over time They include, with different nuances, the two notions, given that people live by combining individual ambition and interest with needs and searches for collective achievements.
This fine balance arises as a product of many patterns, which are transmitted throughout generations. Coexistence between people must adapt to these guidelines.
Coexistence guidelines
There are many areas in which people must live together (work, schools, public spaces, neighborhoods, buildings, groups of friends, families), so it is important that they establish appropriate norms and codes of behavior which make for good coexistence.
Let's look at some of the coexistence guidelines that usually apply:
- Responsibility Those that arise from the sense of responsibility, among which are meeting schedules and commitments that are assigned, carrying out functions and behavioral guidelines that must be respected.
- I respect Those that have to do with respect, such as accepting other people's points of view, not discriminating and trying to understand and be patient with others.
- Honesty Those linked to honesty, such as taking responsibility for one's own mistakes.
- Solidarity. Solidarity ones, such as collaborating with the care of the place, integrating new people who arrive, helping without expecting a reward and advocating for reaching agreements on the decisions that must be made together.
