Here's a whacko theory

[Irish_Dem]

6. Yes good point.

Fear does provoke ruthless measures to protect. Which could have survival benefits for a species.

Or used by ruthless leaders to make various groups hate each other.
And make them willing to fight to the death.
Just for political gain or other goals.
Yes like the GOP is doing in the US and Putin is doing in Russia.

But then we also see sociopathy motivated by pure greed to acquire wealth, land, etc.
Which could also have survival benefits.
A leader who can provide food and shelter to his people, means the group will survive.

However we see it all go beyond survival to just plain greed.
The wealthy have more money than they can ever spend in a lifetime.
And are not interested in promoting to the general welfare.

And then of course we have those humans who enjoy ruthless cruelty, it is a turn on.

So human survival skills cross over into raw evil.