Are human beings fundamentally nice or nasty?
Further to previous replies (August 20 & 25), I think about 10 per cent of folk are born to be nasty (original sin?), 10 per cent are born to be nice (original virtue?), and the rest of us are dragged back and fore between these opposing forces (original ambivalence?). The Second World War highlights this perfectly. Hitler, who already had the bad 10 per cent on board, would have got nowhere without the general consent of the middle 80 per cent of Germans — the good 10 per cent having already fled or been eliminated. In 1945, having realised their folly, the middle 80 returned Germany to a model society. Ditto Japan.
Huw Beynon, Llandeilo
Evolutionary biology and psychology shows us that humans have evolved two drives, both necessary for survival, towards co-operation with those inside the group and competition with those outside. The smaller the inside group, the more violent life may become, and vice versa. So violent competition within the group is condemned (nasty) while violent competition outside the group is praised (brave, heroic or nice). Co-operative behaviour within the group is praised, while aiding those outside is condemned as weak. So human beings are neither nice nor nasty: individuals are, depending on your point of view.
Patrick Martin, Winchester, Hampshire
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Who gets the royalties from any sales of Mein Kampf?
Of course, during his lifetime Hitler received royalties from Mein Kampf as its author. Since the Führer’s death a distant relative, whose father was a nephew of Hitler, could have claimed royalties. Although his late father considered claiming before his death in 1979, he took no action. The royalties could be worth millions of pounds today but Peter Raubal does not wish to have anything to do with the inheritance and only wants “to be left alone ”. Good for him.
Martin Hasseck, London NW4
No one: royalties are paid to an author’s estate for only 50 years after his death.
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David Wragg, Edinburgh
Why are there so many pubs called The Red Lion?
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Further to your previous reply (August 17), The Crown may currently be the most popular pub name but this was not the case 40 years ago. In the mid 1960s, when smoking was still acceptable, the Licensed Victuallers Association decided to launch their own brand of cigarettes to be sold direct through pubs which would be cheaper than the major brands. I was involved in the publicity for the launch and, when trying to find a name for this cigarette, they eventually decided to name it after the most popular pub name at that time: Chequers. The cigarettes never really caught on.
Sally Tooth, London SW1