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Single Idea 5313
[filed under theme 22. Metaethics / A. Ethics Foundations / 2. Source of Ethics / e. Human nature
]
Full Idea
The rules followed in human decision-making are tight enough to produce a broad overlap in the decisions taken by all individuals, and hence a convergence powerful enough to be labelled 'human nature'.
Gist of Idea
The rules of human decision-making converge and overlap in a 'human nature'
Source
Edmund O. Wilson (On Human Nature [1978], Ch.3)
Book Ref
Wilson,Edward O.: 'On Human Nature' [Penguin 1995], p.67
A Reaction
This is a nice empirical criterion for asserting the existence of human nature, and it seems right to examine decisions, rather than more thoughtless or conformist behaviour. Existentialists dream of new possibilities, but the old ways always seem best…
The
14 ideas
from Edmund O. Wilson
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20662
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The biology of societies: kin selection, parenting, mating; status, territory, contracts
[Wilson,EO]
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5308
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The only human purpose is that created by our genetic history
[Wilson,EO]
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5311
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If observation goes up a level, we expect the laws of the lower level to remain in force
[Wilson,EO]
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5309
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Beliefs are really enabling mechanisms for survival
[Wilson,EO]
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5310
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Philosophers study the consequences of ethics instead of its origins
[Wilson,EO]
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5313
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The rules of human decision-making converge and overlap in a 'human nature'
[Wilson,EO]
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5312
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A child first sees objects as distinct, and later as members of groups
[Wilson,EO]
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5314
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Cultural evolution is Lamarckian and fast, biological evolution is Darwinian and slow
[Wilson,EO]
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5315
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Over 99 percent of human evolution has been in the hunter-gatherer phase
[Wilson,EO]
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5318
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Pure hard-core altruism based on kin selection is the enemy of civilisation
[Wilson,EO]
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5316
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We undermine altruism by rewarding it, but we reward it to encourage it
[Wilson,EO]
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5317
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The actor is most convincing who believes that his performance is real
[Wilson,EO]
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5320
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It is estimated that mankind has produced 100,000 religions
[Wilson,EO]
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22187
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Genetic behaviours that have enhanced human success include aggression, rape and xenophobia
[Wilson,EO, by Okasha]
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