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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

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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.

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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]

5312	A child first sees objects as distinct, and later as members of groups [Wilson,EO]

5313	The rules of human decision-making converge and overlap in a 'human nature' [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]

5316	We undermine altruism by rewarding it, but we reward it to encourage it [Wilson,EO]

5318	Pure hard-core altruism based on kin selection is the enemy of civilisation [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]