Self, species choices tied to brain function

The job of our brain is to keep us alive. We humans have one brain but two hemispheres. Job one for either is survival. But depending on which half prevails, there are contrasting strategies. The skirmishes of the two sides are the struggles on how to best keep breathing. The prime fundamental biological question is this: What should it be? Survival of self or survival of the species?

Either response is a contradiction. If I escape alone, others will not, but if I help others, I may not. The left hemisphere demands the survival of self. The right is focused on the continuation of the species, the child or the clan. This fundamental question of existence is answered by the two sides employing distinct chemical mediators and hence means to serve their purposes. Oxytocin, the hormone of trust and birth, is the mediator of the drive to keep alive the genes with others. The need to keep oneself alive and carry the genes is directed through norepinephrine, the molecule of fight and flight. This disparity of survival techniques is the difference between "I" and "we."

This basic contrast in survival style displays itself in situations that may not be exactly life and death but which complicate our existence. Day-to-day problems generate tension. How we respond to the crisis depends on which of the two biological pathways we employ. Opinionated conflicts likewise can be divided between an "I" and a "we" solution. Political parties attract particular people according to their survival style. We should rename them and have an "I Party" and a "We Party." Both are legitimate mechanisms for survival. This neuronal divide also explains the fervor that politics can generate. We argue over politics because our bodies feel we are fighting for our lives and for the lives of the whole species. Politicians pick up on these emotions and talk like they are there to save our nation, planet, and our way of life or literally our lives.

The "I" and "We" parties are divisions of philosophies that are biological urges from which emerges ideology. Competing hormones create competing philosophies. It is the biology that comes first, then the radio talk shows. The members of parties coalesce around issues due to the flow of chemicals.

In urgent topics ranging from economic development to homeland security to foreign relations and on to health-care reform, this dichotomy of debates shows itself in the various voices from the right and the left. In this case, the right hemisphere is liberal because the nerve fibers cross.