Nov 19, 2022·edited Nov 19, 2022Liked by Jay Rollins
Interesting that nobody seems to be referencing the commentary from evolutionary theorists/sociobiologists on eusociality ("parochial altruism") and gene-culture co-evolution (also known as "dual inheritance theory").
Following E.O Wilson, Richerson and Boyd (and others) wrote extensively on the topic over 30+ years (peer-reviewed biology papers), but this is a more basic, accessible introduction:
A Cooperative Species: How We Got to Be Both Nasty and Nice
presented by Samuel Bowles, Professor, Santa Fe Institute and University of Siena
September 16, 17, and 18, 2008
Humans are remarkably cooperative animals. We frequently engage in joint projects for the common benefit on a scale extending beyond the family to include total strangers. We do this even when contributions to the project are costly and yield little private benefit. Examples are upholding social norms even when a transgression would not be noticed, warfare, and actions to preserve the natural environment.
Lecture 1. A Cooperative Species (or are we just afraid someone may be looking?)
Since Darwin, the evolutionary origin of these and other examples of altruistic cooperation has puzzled biologists and economists where notions of ‘selfish genes’ and amoral Homo economicus hold sway. Drawing on archaeological, genetic, climatic, and other information about the conditions under which our distant ancestors lived, Bowles will show why standard explanations of human cooperation are inadequate.
Bowles uses computer simulations to generate artificial histories of humanity over tens of thousands of years, tracing alternative trajectories that could explain how we got to be both nasty and nice. The disquieting conclusion will be that war and hostility toward outsiders may have been midwives of our more admirable moral predispositions.
Taking account of our ethical dispositions and the conditions necessary to both enhance and empower cooperative motivations is essential if we are to face the challenges of environmental sustainability, control of epidemic disease, the governance of the information based economy, and political violence.
Just wait till they find the altar to Cthulu in the basement!
Interesting that nobody seems to be referencing the commentary from evolutionary theorists/sociobiologists on eusociality ("parochial altruism") and gene-culture co-evolution (also known as "dual inheritance theory").
Following E.O Wilson, Richerson and Boyd (and others) wrote extensively on the topic over 30+ years (peer-reviewed biology papers), but this is a more basic, accessible introduction:
https://sites.santafe.edu/~bowles/index.php/more/lectures/
ULAM LECTURES
2008 Stanislaw Ulam Memorial Lecture Series
A Cooperative Species: How We Got to Be Both Nasty and Nice
presented by Samuel Bowles, Professor, Santa Fe Institute and University of Siena
September 16, 17, and 18, 2008
Humans are remarkably cooperative animals. We frequently engage in joint projects for the common benefit on a scale extending beyond the family to include total strangers. We do this even when contributions to the project are costly and yield little private benefit. Examples are upholding social norms even when a transgression would not be noticed, warfare, and actions to preserve the natural environment.
Lecture 1. A Cooperative Species (or are we just afraid someone may be looking?)
[ alt link: https://sites.santafe.edu/~bowles/Lecture1.pdf ]
Since Darwin, the evolutionary origin of these and other examples of altruistic cooperation has puzzled biologists and economists where notions of ‘selfish genes’ and amoral Homo economicus hold sway. Drawing on archaeological, genetic, climatic, and other information about the conditions under which our distant ancestors lived, Bowles will show why standard explanations of human cooperation are inadequate.
The video may be found here.
[ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAufcFRgbUI ]
Lecture 2. Altruism, Parochialism, and War: Rambo meets Mother Teresa
[ https://sites.santafe.edu/~bowles/Lecture2.pdf ]
Bowles uses computer simulations to generate artificial histories of humanity over tens of thousands of years, tracing alternative trajectories that could explain how we got to be both nasty and nice. The disquieting conclusion will be that war and hostility toward outsiders may have been midwives of our more admirable moral predispositions.
The video may be found here.
[ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYBFf9ZgkvU ]
Lecture 3. Machiavelli’s Mistake: Why Policies Designed for “Wicked Men” Fail.
[ https://sites.santafe.edu//~bowles/Lecture3.pdf ]
Taking account of our ethical dispositions and the conditions necessary to both enhance and empower cooperative motivations is essential if we are to face the challenges of environmental sustainability, control of epidemic disease, the governance of the information based economy, and political violence.
The video may be found here.
[ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8s2HB1cP-k ]