The Origins of Virtue: Human Instincts and the Evolution of CooperationIf, as Darwin suggests, evolution relentlessly encourages the survival of the fittest, why are humans compelled to live in cooperative, complex societies? In this fascinating examination of the roots of human trust and virtue, a zoologist and former American editor of the Economist reveals the results of recent studies that suggest that self-interest and mutual aid are not at all incompatible. In fact, he points out, our cooperative instincts may have evolved as part of mankind's natural selfish behavior—by exchanging favors we can benefit ourselves as well as others.Brilliantly orchestrating the newest findings of geneticists, psychologists, and anthropologists, The Origins of Virtue re-examines the everyday assumptions upon which we base our actions towards others, whether in our roles as parents, siblings, or trade partners. With the wit and brilliance of The Red Queen, his acclaimed study of human and animal sexuality, Matt Ridley shows us how breakthroughs in computer programming, microbiology, and economics have given us a new perspective on how and why we relate to each other. |
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Adam altruism animals anthropologists ants apes argued Axelrod's baboon behaviour believe better Big Kiku biology bonnet macaques chimpanzees chimps coalitions commitment conservation cooperation culture David Ricardo defect defectors dictator game division of labour dolphins earth ecological economics economist egalitarian emotions evolved exchange extinct favour feast females food sharing forest Frank Friedrich Hayek generosity genes gift giving guilt Hadza Huias human society hunter-gatherers hunters hunting for meat idea individuals instinct irrational killed live Luit male mammoth steppe monkeys moral nature never nice Nikkie noble savage Nowak ovary Pavlov play Tit-for-tat potlatches practise primates prisoner's dilemma punish rational reason reciprocity reward Ricardo Robert Frank Robert Trivers Sahlins selfish selfish gene sense sexual division share food Sigmund silver social contract species steal strategy swapping tattoo teams thing Tit-for-tat tournament trade trees tribal tribes unique Vervet monkeys vervets virtue Wason test Yeroen zero-sum game