Freethought & Rationalism Archive

sakrilege · 03-18-2003, 04:09 PM

From the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Doing unto others is an article about studying what makes people altruistic and compassionate. One of the projects is being done by Frans de Waal

Quote:

I think by connecting human morality with animal behavior you actually ground morality much more profoundly, and it becomes a bigger and more sturdy phenomenon.

I read his book Good Natured and really enjoyed it.

Secular Pinoy · 03-19-2003, 02:29 AM

I think this ought to be in the EvoCre forum.

Tufted · 03-19-2003, 05:50 AM

It's one thing to conceive of the group benefits of altruism. However, giving up ones life for the group benefit requires more than a rational understanding of "If I scratch your back, you will scratch mine".

It has been suggested that natural selection favored groups who believed in an afterlife. Getting killed in battle, or hunting, is much more acceptable if you believe there are heavenly rewards.

I think, in a large part, this accounts for many irrational religious beliefs of today's man.

Matthew Alper devoted a book to this subject: "The God Part of the Brain".

Wyz_sub10 · 03-19-2003, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Secular Pinoy
I think this ought to be in the EvoCre forum.

I agree.

Majestyk · 03-19-2003, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tufted
It has been suggested that natural selection favored groups who believed in an afterlife. Getting killed in battle, or hunting, is much more acceptable if you believe there are heavenly rewards.[/B]

I suspect that an evolved tendency to develop a belief in an afterlife is little more fundamental than just a willingness to give up one's life for the sake of another. Being able to conceptualize our own mortality may have lead to a tendency toward developing warm and fuzzy fantasies that make the cold realities of existence more appealing.

sakrilege · 03-19-2003, 03:28 PM

From dictionary.com
al�tru�ism
1. Unselfish concern for the welfare of others; selflessness.
2. Zoology. Instinctive cooperative behavior that is detrimental to the individual but contributes to the survival of the species.

Altruism isn't specific to humans if I understand the concept correctly. Aren't ants and honeybees somewhat altruistic? And also many canids have one breeding pair per pack where the others help with securing food and defense.

Mr.Fantasy · 03-20-2003, 01:03 PM

okay upon this subject I have an essay written by Einstein that basically says how i feel. The copy over is terrible and sometimes he loses his point in his writing (as with many of his other essays; surprisingly) but you get the jist of what hes saying, and it makes sense. Morals and Emotions

Enjoy =)

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03-19-2003, 02:29 AM	#2
Secular Pinoy Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Quezon City, Philippines Posts: 1,994	I think this ought to be in the EvoCre forum.

03-19-2003, 05:50 AM	#3
Tufted Regular Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: North Babylon, NY Posts: 106	It's one thing to conceive of the group benefits of altruism. However, giving up ones life for the group benefit requires more than a rational understanding of "If I scratch your back, you will scratch mine". It has been suggested that natural selection favored groups who believed in an afterlife. Getting killed in battle, or hunting, is much more acceptable if you believe there are heavenly rewards. I think, in a large part, this accounts for many irrational religious beliefs of today's man. Matthew Alper devoted a book to this subject: "The God Part of the Brain".

03-19-2003, 03:28 PM	#6
sakrilege Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Cleveland, OH, USA Folding@Home Godless Team Posts: 6,211	From dictionary.com al�tru�ism 1. Unselfish concern for the welfare of others; selflessness. 2. Zoology. Instinctive cooperative behavior that is detrimental to the individual but contributes to the survival of the species. Altruism isn't specific to humans if I understand the concept correctly. Aren't ants and honeybees somewhat altruistic? And also many canids have one breeding pair per pack where the others help with securing food and defense.

03-20-2003, 01:03 PM	#7
Mr.Fantasy Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Washington Posts: 11	okay upon this subject I have an essay written by Einstein that basically says how i feel. The copy over is terrible and sometimes he loses his point in his writing (as with many of his other essays; surprisingly) but you get the jist of what hes saying, and it makes sense. Morals and Emotions Enjoy =)

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