Survival of the Fittest?

Political philosopher Thomas Hobbes once said that the primary function of a government is to preserve life; else, we would be living in a "state of nature" (where no laws exist, like the animal world).

No. I write this post not because of this philosopher. I have suddenly thought of something that is worth thinking about. You see, in the animal world, "survival of the fittest" describes exactly what's going on. The strong eat the weak. There is no room for doubt.

Now, humans are essentially living things as well. What distinguishes us from animals is our far greater intelligence that animals are not capable of. Without our intelligence and conscience, we're as good as animals at best. (Or are we? I'm not sure.)

The thing is... The animal world isn't a fun place to be in. Much of the suffering of animals happens without us knowing it. As long as an animal can keep itself alive, anything goes. But hey... what about us? Yea we have intelligence and we have a government to take care of things. We have order in our world. The government preserves life (by making laws that maintain order and thus preserving life). But does all that mean "survival of the fittest" doesn't apply?

Everyone is great in their own ways. Everyone is talented (or potentially talented) in their own ways. Throughout your childhood you may develop computer skills and go on to pursue a degree in computer science. Throughout my childhood I may develop interest in chemistry and go on to study pharmacy. Unless a person grows up in a terrible environment, that person will pick up some form of skills when growing up through various activities that the person takes part in.

Unfortunately, though everyone has their own skills, the society doesn't reward everyone fairly! Some skills can make more money than the others. What if someone happens to pick up a skill that is slower or harder in making money during childhood? The society has created a situation where certain jobs make money more easily than other jobs. So if you happen to not get a "good skill", can you survive as easily as others? Don't tell me you were in control of what you learnt when you were growing up, because you were not, just like all of us were not. (It's not like we could decide who become our parents.)

"Survival of the fittest" is a characteristic of a "state of nature". But it doesn't seem to be absent in our to-an-extent orderly world. Animals have greed, anger, and selfishness. Humans have greed, anger, and selfishness too. Really, without our intelligence, we're not too different from animals. (Even though I'm not entirely sure.)

Maybe that bad side of us makes this human world a place only the fittest get to survive. I guess it's never possible for each person with different talents and skills to be treated as worthily as everyone else.

Sad.

P.S.
Something else is at work here, but I don't feel like explaining it...... for some reason. (So don't ask me about it.)