Are humans incapable of peace,

or are they friendly and cooperative? 

Does William Golding hit the nail on the head with „Lord of the Flies“, or is he just following the unfortunate narrative of our Western culture about the basically evil nature of humankind? 

The current state of the world, with countless violent attacks and confrontations, especially in Israel/Palestine and Ukraine, seems to confirm man’s peaceful, violent nature. 

I refuse to believe this. The social science research of the past decades proves me correct. Rutger Bregman has compiled the facts known up to this point in his book „Humankind“ (German. „Im Grunde Gut“), published in 2019. 

For me, as a coach, too, the question of human nature is central. Many of my clients seek my support when they are acutely experiencing a conflict. Then it is up to me whether I encourage them in the destruction of their „opponent:s“ or whether I strengthen the part of their experience that desires balance, that also sees the interests of the other person(s). 

Whether I follow a pessimistic view of humankind or whether I prefer to follow secure knowledge about the ability of us humans to be selfless and to love decides the direction that the development of my clients will take. 

I will continue to hold on to the truth of the testimonies of Jesus of Nazareth (who died for his conviction), Florence Nightingale, Carl Rogers, Mahatma Gandhi, Janusz Korczak, Sister Theresa, Dag Hammarskjöld, Nelson Mandela and Humberto Maturana! 

I am Eberhard Bohrisch, a Systemic Psychologist and one of the few active coaches with more than 50 years of professional experience.