A person who has been punished is not thereby simply less inclined to behave in a given way; at best, he learns how to avoid punishment.

Was putting a man on the moon actually easier than improving education in our public schools?

Fame is also won at the expense of others. Even the well-deserved honors of the scientist or man of learning are unfair to many persons of equal achievements who get none. When one man gets a place in the sun, the others are put in a denser shade. From the point of view of the whole group there's no gain whatsoever, and perhaps a loss.

Society attacks early, when the individual is helpless.

Society attacks early, when the individual is helpless. It enslaves him almost before he has tasted freedom. The 'ologies' will tell you how its done Theology calls it building a conscience or developing a spirit of selflessness. Psychology calls it the growth of the superego. Considering how long society has been at it, you'd expect a better job. But the campaigns have been badly planned and the victory has never been secured.

The extent to which human aggression exemplifies innate tendencies is not clear.

A first principle not formally recognized by scientific methodologists: when you run into something interesting, drop everything else and study it.