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Single Idea 5318

[filed under theme 22. Metaethics / B. Value / 2. Values / f. Altruism ]

Full Idea

Pure hard-core altruism based on kin selection is the enemy of civilisation.

Gist of Idea

Pure hard-core altruism based on kin selection is the enemy of civilisation

Source

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

Book Ref

Wilson,Edward O.: 'On Human Nature' [Penguin 1995], p.157


A Reaction

By 'hard-core' he means suicidally self-sacrificing, rather than extensive. This seems a good thesis. It strikes me that the development of civil society is often impeded by family loyalty, such as in the case of the Mafia.


The 12 ideas from 'On Human Nature'

If observation goes up a level, we expect the laws of the lower level to remain in force [Wilson,EO]
Beliefs are really enabling mechanisms for survival [Wilson,EO]
Philosophers study the consequences of ethics instead of its origins [Wilson,EO]
The only human purpose is that created by our genetic history [Wilson,EO]
The rules of human decision-making converge and overlap in a 'human nature' [Wilson,EO]
A child first sees objects as distinct, and later as members of groups [Wilson,EO]
Cultural evolution is Lamarckian and fast, biological evolution is Darwinian and slow [Wilson,EO]
Over 99 percent of human evolution has been in the hunter-gatherer phase [Wilson,EO]
Pure hard-core altruism based on kin selection is the enemy of civilisation [Wilson,EO]
We undermine altruism by rewarding it, but we reward it to encourage it [Wilson,EO]
The actor is most convincing who believes that his performance is real [Wilson,EO]
It is estimated that mankind has produced 100,000 religions [Wilson,EO]