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Single Idea 5317

[filed under theme 23. Ethics / B. Contract Ethics / 1. Contractarianism ]

Full Idea

The actor is most convincing who believes that his performance is real.

Gist of Idea

The actor is most convincing who believes that his performance is real

Source

Edmund O. Wilson (On Human Nature [1978], Ch.7)

Book Ref

Wilson,Edward O.: 'On Human Nature' [Penguin 1995], p.156

A Reaction

This is a key element of social contract theory. It shows why natural selection of truly altruistic traits might be beneficial to individuals, provided they are surrounded by possible recipricators. We trust those who are genuine and sincere.

The 14 ideas from Edmund O. Wilson

20662 The biology of societies: kin selection, parenting, mating; status, territory, contracts [Wilson,EO]
5308 The only human purpose is that created by our genetic history [Wilson,EO]
5311 If observation goes up a level, we expect the laws of the lower level to remain in force [Wilson,EO]
5309 Beliefs are really enabling mechanisms for survival [Wilson,EO]
5310 Philosophers study the consequences of ethics instead of its origins [Wilson,EO]
5313 The rules of human decision-making converge and overlap in a 'human nature' [Wilson,EO]
5312 A child first sees objects as distinct, and later as members of groups [Wilson,EO]
5314 Cultural evolution is Lamarckian and fast, biological evolution is Darwinian and slow [Wilson,EO]
5315 Over 99 percent of human evolution has been in the hunter-gatherer phase [Wilson,EO]
5318 Pure hard-core altruism based on kin selection is the enemy of civilisation [Wilson,EO]
5316 We undermine altruism by rewarding it, but we reward it to encourage it [Wilson,EO]
5317 The actor is most convincing who believes that his performance is real [Wilson,EO]
5320 It is estimated that mankind has produced 100,000 religions [Wilson,EO]
22187 Genetic behaviours that have enhanced human success include aggression, rape and xenophobia [Wilson,EO, by Okasha]