The Professor in the Cage

Introduction

In "The Professor in the Cage," Jonathan Gottschall takes readers on a fascinating journey through the world of violence, combat sports, and human nature. As an English professor who decided to train in mixed martial arts (MMA), Gottschall offers a unique perspective on why humans are drawn to violence and how we've learned to channel these impulses in modern society.

The book explores the deep-rooted connections between violence, masculinity, and human evolution. It delves into the history of combat, from ancient duels to modern-day MMA fights, and examines how violence has been ritualized and codified over time. Gottschall's work challenges our assumptions about violence and offers thought-provoking insights into why we continue to be fascinated by combat sports and violent entertainment.

The Enduring Appeal of Violence

Despite living in one of the most peaceful periods in human history, violence continues to captivate us. Gottschall argues that this fascination stems from our evolutionary past, where violence was a crucial survival skill. Our ancestors regularly engaged in brutal conflicts, using stone axes, swords, and other weapons to settle disputes and establish dominance.

While most of us no longer witness daily acts of extreme violence, the impulse remains deeply ingrained in our DNA. This explains why combat sports like MMA have gained such popularity in recent years. These sports offer a controlled outlet for our violent tendencies, allowing us to experience the thrill of combat without the dire consequences of real-world violence.

The Codification of Violence

One of the key themes in Gottschall's book is how violence has become increasingly codified over time. This process has helped societies channel violent impulses into more controlled and less destructive forms.

Duels and Honor

In the past, honor was a primary reason for violent confrontations. A person's ability to defend their honor directly impacted their social status. Duels emerged as a way to codify these honor-based conflicts, introducing rules and limitations to make them more "civilized."

Duels had strict protocols:

• Opponents agreed on a time and place
• Only certain weapons were allowed (e.g., swords or guns)
• Winning could be achieved by getting the opponent to back down

This codification helped reduce the frequency and severity of violent encounters while still allowing individuals to defend their honor.

Modern Combat Sports

Today, combat sports like MMA represent the latest evolution in codified violence. While the actual fighting may appear brutal, the sport itself is highly regulated:

• Fights occur in specific venues at scheduled times
• Referees closely supervise the action
• There are weight classes and rules to protect fighters

This level of codification allows people to experience the thrill of combat while minimizing the risk of serious injury or death.

MMA: A Modern Arena for Ritualized Combat

Gottschall devotes significant attention to MMA, which he sees as a powerful example of how modern society channels violent impulses. MMA's popularity stems from several factors:

Self-Defense Against Bullies

Many people are drawn to MMA as a way to learn effective self-defense techniques. Bullying is a universal problem, and the ability to protect oneself can be empowering. MMA provides practical skills that can deter potential bullies and boost confidence.

Ritualized Combat

MMA fights serve as a form of ritualized combat, similar to what our ancestors and even other primates engage in. This type of combat aims to establish dominance and hierarchy while reducing the risk of serious injury through rules and limitations.

Ritualized combat often follows similar patterns across species:

• Staring contests to intimidate opponents
• Displays of strength and aggression
• Escalation to physical confrontation if neither side backs down

Accessibility

Unlike many elite sports, MMA is relatively accessible to people of various athletic backgrounds. This inclusivity makes it appealing to those who might feel intimidated by other competitive sports.

Gender Differences in Violence and Competition

Gottschall explores the relationship between gender, violence, and competition, highlighting some significant differences between men and women.

Evolutionary Basis

The author argues that there's an evolutionary reason for men being more competitive and violent than women:

• Men produce billions of sperm throughout their lives
• Women have a limited number of eggs and can only bear children during certain periods
• This leads to more competition among men for reproductive opportunities

Physical Differences

Men's bodies are built for combat in ways that women's are not:

• Men are, on average, 20% heavier and 10% taller than women
• Men have 60% more muscle mass than women

Different Approaches to Conflict

While men are more likely to engage in physical violence, women tend to use indirect forms of aggression:

• Attacking reputations
• Spreading rumors
• Focusing on concepts like fidelity, modesty, and honesty

Men, on the other hand, are encouraged by cultural concepts of dominance and honor to take more risks, including engaging in physical confrontations.

Gender Differences in Play and Sports

Gottschall notes that these gender differences are observable from a very young age and persist into adulthood.

Children's Play

Boys and girls tend to play differently:

• Boys engage in more competitive games and mock fights
• Girls prefer cooperative play and building relationships

This leads to children naturally segregating themselves by gender, with the likelihood of same-sex play increasing dramatically by age six.

Adult Sports

Even in professional sports, gender differences in competitiveness are apparent:

• Male athletes prioritize competition more than female athletes
• Men are more likely to push themselves to extremes in pursuit of victory
• Women tend to focus more on cooperation and bonding through sports

The Connection Between Sports and War

Gottschall explores the historical links between sports and warfare, showing how many modern sports have their roots in military training.

Training for Battle

Throughout history, sports have served as preparation for war:

• Medieval tournaments honed warriors' fighting skills
• Chariot racing and sword fighting were directly applicable to combat

Vestiges in Modern Sports

Even today, many sports retain connections to their martial origins:

• Military terminology in sports (e.g., "blitz" in American football)
• Fan behavior mimicking tribal support for warriors (wearing team colors, chanting battle songs)

Alternatives to War

Sports have also served as less violent alternatives to full-scale warfare:

• Native American tribes used lacrosse-like games to settle disputes
• International sporting events like the Olympics promote peaceful competition between nations

The Human Fascination with Violent Spectacles

One of the most intriguing aspects of Gottschall's book is his exploration of why humans are so captivated by violent entertainment.

Historical Examples

Throughout history, people have been drawn to violent spectacles:

• Roman gladiatorial contests
• Public executions in the Middle Ages
• Modern combat sports like boxing and MMA

The Appeal of Violence

Gottschall argues that violent spectacles are compelling because they showcase both the most exciting and appalling aspects of human nature:

• Displays of skill, strength, and grace
• Raw emotions and primal instincts
• The struggle for dominance and survival

Violence and Excitement

The author draws parallels between the excitement of violence and sexual arousal:

• Some soldiers describe war as simultaneously hellish and exhilarating
• The intensity of combat can produce a heightened state of awareness similar to sexual excitement

Modern Forms of Violent Entertainment

While we've moved away from real-life violent spectacles, our appetite for violence in entertainment remains strong:

• Violent books and movies (e.g., "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo," the "Saw" franchise)
• Video games with combat elements
• Combat sports broadcasts

The key difference is that modern entertainment typically involves fictional or controlled violence rather than real suffering.

MMA: The Ultimate Combat Sport

Gottschall presents MMA as the pinnacle of modern combat sports, arguing that it's the closest thing to real, unrestrained fighting.

Realism and Brutality

MMA stands out from other martial arts due to its lack of artificial restrictions:

• Minimal rules compared to other combat sports
• Combines techniques from various martial arts
• Closely mimics real-world street fighting

Hierarchy and Dominance

MMA fights tend to reinforce natural hierarchies:

• The strongest fighter usually wins
• Upsets are less common than in other sports
• Weight classes help level the playing field somewhat

Testing Ground for Martial Arts

MMA serves as a laboratory for testing the effectiveness of different fighting styles:

• Practitioners from various disciplines compete against each other
• Ineffective techniques are quickly exposed
• Fighters constantly adapt and combine styles for maximum effectiveness

Lack of Religious or Philosophical Elements

Unlike many traditional martial arts, MMA doesn't incorporate spiritual or philosophical components:

• Focus is purely on combat effectiveness
• No emphasis on ancient traditions or artistic purity
• Gyms operate like laboratories for developing fighting techniques

The Evolution of Violence in Society

Throughout the book, Gottschall traces how violence has evolved in human society, from our prehistoric ancestors to modern times.

Prehistoric Violence

Early humans likely engaged in frequent, brutal conflicts:

• Fighting over resources, mates, and territory
• Using primitive weapons like stone axes and clubs
• High mortality rates from violent encounters

Ancient Civilizations

As societies became more complex, violence became more organized:

• Formal armies and warfare
• Ritualized combat like gladiatorial contests
• Public executions as a form of entertainment and social control

Middle Ages and Early Modern Period

Violence remained a central part of life, but with increasing attempts to codify it:

• Duels as a way to settle disputes among the upper classes
• Tournaments as training for knights
• Public executions still common, but with more formal legal processes

Industrial Age to Modern Era

The past few centuries have seen a gradual decline in everyday violence:

• Improved law enforcement and justice systems
• Changing social norms around violence
• Increased economic prosperity reducing resource conflicts

Contemporary Society

While overall violence has decreased, we still grapple with violent impulses:

• Combat sports as a controlled outlet for aggression
• Violent entertainment in media
• Ongoing debates about gun control and violent crime

The Role of Violence in Human Nature

Gottschall's work challenges readers to confront uncomfortable truths about the role of violence in human nature.

Evolutionary Legacy

Our capacity for violence is deeply ingrained:

• It helped our ancestors survive and reproduce
• Violent tendencies are part of our genetic inheritance

Social Bonding

Paradoxically, violence can serve as a way to build social bonds:

• Shared experiences of combat or danger can create strong connections
• Sports teams and military units often form tight-knit groups

Establishing Hierarchies

Violence and the threat of violence play a role in establishing social hierarchies:

• In primitive societies, physical dominance often determined leadership
• Even in modern contexts, the ability to defend oneself can affect social status

Catharsis and Emotional Release

Engaging in or watching violent activities can provide emotional release:

• Combat sports allow participants to express aggression in a controlled environment
• Violent entertainment may serve as a safe way to experience intense emotions

The Future of Violence in Society

As Gottschall concludes his exploration of violence and human nature, he speculates on how our relationship with violence might continue to evolve.

Further Codification

It's likely that violence will become even more codified and controlled:

• New sports and competitions may emerge to channel aggressive impulses
• Virtual and augmented reality could provide immersive, non-physical violent experiences

Changing Gender Norms

As gender roles continue to evolve, our understanding of violence and gender may shift:

• More women participating in combat sports and military roles
• Changing perceptions of masculinity and its connection to violence

Technological Impacts

Advances in technology could dramatically alter how we experience and express violence:

• Brain-computer interfaces might allow for simulated combat experiences
• Genetic engineering could potentially alter aggressive tendencies

Global Perspectives

As the world becomes more interconnected, different cultural attitudes toward violence may converge or clash:

• Western combat sports gaining popularity in traditionally non-violent cultures
• Traditional martial arts influencing modern fitness and self-defense practices

Conclusion: Embracing Our Violent Nature

In "The Professor in the Cage," Jonathan Gottschall presents a compelling argument for acknowledging and understanding our violent impulses rather than denying them. By recognizing violence as a fundamental part of human nature, we can better manage and channel these impulses in constructive ways.

The author's journey from English professor to MMA fighter serves as a microcosm of society's complex relationship with violence. Just as Gottschall found personal growth and insight through his foray into combat sports, society as a whole can benefit from a more nuanced understanding of violence and its role in our lives.

Key takeaways from the book include:

1. Violence is an innate part of human nature, shaped by our evolutionary history.
2. Over time, societies have developed ways to codify and control violence, reducing its destructive impact.
3. Combat sports like MMA serve as modern outlets for our violent impulses, offering controlled environments for competition and self-expression.
4. Gender plays a significant role in how individuals experience and express violent tendencies.
5. Our fascination with violent entertainment reflects deep-seated psychological and emotional needs.
6. Understanding and acknowledging our violent nature can lead to better management of these impulses at both individual and societal levels.

Ultimately, "The Professor in the Cage" challenges readers to confront uncomfortable truths about human nature while offering hope that we can continue to evolve in our relationship with violence. By channeling our aggressive instincts into structured, less harmful forms of competition and entertainment, we can satisfy our primal urges while maintaining the peace and stability of modern civilization.

As we move forward, the challenge will be to find new and innovative ways to address our violent impulses in a world that increasingly values non-violence and cooperation. Gottschall's work suggests that by embracing rather than denying this aspect of our nature, we may be better equipped to create a future that balances our primal instincts with our highest aspirations for peace and harmony.