Chapter 4.
“The first law of nature is the struggle for existence.” — Peter Kropotkin
Physical force is perhaps the most recognisable form of power, its use being both empowering and contentious. From the raw struggle for survival to the immense potential of human-engineered forces, physical might manifests in myriad forms. It is a fundamental aspect of life throughout the animal kingdom, not just for humans. Across all species, physical capabilities—strength, speed, size, and even the ability to withstand force—are primary determinants of survival and social standing.
In countless animal societies, physical prowess establishes dominance. Wolf packs, for instance, maintain their hierarchy through aggression, controlling resources and mates. The clashing antlers of male deer during rutting season directly determine reproductive success. Predation further underscores this primacy: lions use strength and coordinated strategies to bring down prey, while eagles rely on sharp talons and powerful flight. The evolutionary arms race between predator and prey is a testament to selective pressures favouring physical attributes that enhance either the ability to exert or evade force. This physical capability is the fundamental currency in the struggle for survival and reproductive success, a visceral reality that underpins more complex social interactions.
Physical power doesn’t always need to be actively exerted; its display can be equally potent. A peacock’s grand tail feathers, for instance, signal genetic fitness and dominance to potential mates. Similarly, the puffing out of chests, baring of teeth, and raising of hackles in mammals communicate potential aggression to deter rivals without costly conflict. Just as animals signal power, humans project an image of physical might through elaborate adornment. Body paint has transformed the human visage into something more fearsome or imposing. Even subtle adornments can project physical power, such as animal pelts or teeth symbolising the animal’s strength, transferring that perceived power to the wearer. These visual cues demonstrate that the perception of might can be as influential as its actual application, tapping into deep-seated psychological responses.
While the animal kingdom relies on physical attributes, human power is far more complex. Our unique cognitive abilities have allowed us to mediate interactions through intelligence, strategy, and social structures, moving beyond brute strength. The true measure of human might lies in our capacity for innovation and our ability to outmanoeuvre. The enduring myth of David and Goliath illustrates this: the seemingly weaker David, armed with ingenuity, triumphs over Goliath, whose power lay in size and brute strength, demonstrating that it is not always the biggest muscle that wins.
David’s triumph highlights the significance of skill and technique in physical contests. Power isn’t just raw force; it’s amplified by precision and control. Self-restraint, the ability to channel force deliberately, is a key component of effective physical power. This restraint allows for calculated movements, exploiting an opponent’s weaknesses and conserving energy. Mastery of technique often involves redirection—using an opponent’s own power against them. The principles of Judo or Aikido exemplify this, where an attacker’s force is guided and redirected, leading to their downfall. Understanding the dynamics of motion and leverage can thus be a more potent form of power than sheer muscularity.
Beyond brute strength and refined technique, other physical attributes contribute to human power. Speed and agility can be decisive in confrontations. Endurance, the capacity to sustain physical exertion, is a crucial advantage. In a prolonged struggle, the individual who can continue to exert force as their opponent tires often gains the upper hand. The capacity to withstand pain is another underestimated facet of physical power. The individual who can function effectively despite injury or discomfort possesses a significant advantage, as this mental fortitude allows them to push through limitations that would incapacitate others. The resilience of physical might is perhaps best proven by the most visceral archaeological discoveries: a human rib bone, for instance, found healed around an embedded arrowhead, a stark testament to the capacity of prehistoric warriors to survive crippling trauma and continue to function effectively.
The modern manifestations of physical might are most evident in organised sport and gym culture. Sport provides a structured arena where physical power—strength, speed, agility, and endurance—is meticulously cultivated and tested. Competition serves as a formalised “display of power,” and the emphasis on skill and technique underscores that power in sport is rarely about brute strength alone, but its intelligent application. The inherent value of physical prowess is echoed in the huge following of sport. In the UK, sport continues to drive significant viewing; nearly a billion hours of sport were watched on Sky in the last six months of 2024, with football maintaining its top position and an 8% year-on-year increase in viewership. Complementing sport, the rise of gym culture reflects a widespread individual pursuit of physical enhancement. This thriving industry has over 184 million global members, with UK membership at 11.5 million people (a 16.9% penetration rate).
The cognitive revolution fundamentally reshaped human physical power through toolmaking. The archaeological record of Blombos Cave, for instance, reveals sophisticated Still Bay points, which were extensions of human force capable of bringing down prey with greater efficiency. The design of these early weapons often reveals advanced craft, such as the Neolithic discovery of 1-metre long bows made of dense yew wood. This ability to create and wield tools has irrevocably altered the landscape of human power, moving us beyond the constraints of our biological form.
The collective physical power of human beings is a force multiplier of immense potential. A well-drilled team can lift objects far beyond any individual’s capability. Archaeological evidence powerfully underscores this collective might. Neolithic rock art in the Iberian Peninsula depicts large-scale, organised battles involving dozens of archers attacking in concerted groups. Furthermore, mass burial sites, like the one at San Juan Ante Portam Latinam in Spain, reveal hundreds of remains, predominantly of fighting-age males, interred together, serving as a stark, prehistoric record of true, coordinated warfare.
From the primal displays of dominance in animals to the nuanced expressions of power in human societies, the ability to exert, resist, and amplify force remains fundamental. While humanity has developed layers of social and political power, the underlying reality of might and muscle continues to shape our world in undeniable ways.
A dangerous complacency has emerged in some liberal democracies, fostering the belief that freedom is a given and that robust security is unnecessary. This overlooks the stark reality that the very freedoms we cherish are often fragile and contested. As history and contemporary events show, these hard-won liberties are frequently threatened by those who seek to control through brute force or the insidious dismantling of democratic institutions—a phenomenon analysed by thinkers like Hannah Arendt and Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt. The neglect of physical security and a collective understanding of its importance can leave societies vulnerable.
The lessons from history are stark: even in an age of complex governance, the capacity for physical coercion—and the preparedness to defend against it—remains an undeniable component of power. This capability directly impacts whether our societies remain free. This vital truth echoes the insights of philosophers like Immanuel Kant, who understood that a lasting peace is never a given. It demands constant cultivation and defence, not mere assumption.
Next Chapter: Faith: Making Sense of the Unknown
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