Cooperating is as natural as being selfish
09-Mar-10
One of our closest primate relatives, the bonobo, has been shown to voluntarily share food, scientists report…
[Duke University’s Dr. Brian] Hare said it could be purely altruistic, or more selfish motives could drive this behaviour because sharing could be exchanged for future favours.
Or it could be both.
Remember the big argument of the early sixties–whether behavior was innate (nature) or learned (nurture)? Turns out it’s both.
Tests have shown that the human brain secretes feel-good brain chemicals when we are cooperating with another human. That makes sense when you consider that cooperation is what has made our species so successful.
Moreover, this finding goes against the very basis of the right-wing house of cards, that selfishness and greed are good for humanity.
I’d write a book about it, if I could ever find a publisher.
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