Many times I've seen animal behavior that very strongly indicates conscious decisions.
In my current reprogramming efforts I am entertaining the idea that animals are more in balance with the Flux then we currently are. And it could be that, within the Flux, we are on a lower level than the animals around us, who seem so much more fluent and at ease within the Flux. One could say that being able to fluidly flow with the Flux is more divine than fighting the Flux. But it could also be the other way around, depending on ones definition of divine.
To me the difference is that it 'feels' good to flow fluidly and it can 'feel' like a struggle when you fight the Flux. So to me fluidly flowing seems to be at a higher energy-frequency then fighting the flow.
Cruelty and altruism are both energy forms, the difference between the two actions could be that they operate on different frequencies. In the longer term, one action 'feels' better then the other. But that 'feel' could also be dictated by the frequency-status of the individual being. It seems to me that the older one gets the 'claws and teeth' get used less often. Perhaps because a being reaches a higher frequency over time and resonates more with higher frequency actions. Old souls tend to operate on a higher frequency.
Coming back to, that the 'Original Sin' could be the fighting of the Flux and the resulting struggle that ensues from the lowering of the frequencies.
But who knows, it's all stories build upon stories and every beings' perception is shaped differently. All one can strive for is to find a story that matches one's current perception and frequency and go with the flow.
Flux with Joy and enjoy the Flux!