 The Origin of Altruism: The Key to Group SurvivalRey-Sheng Her ()
Chapter Chapter 4 in The Economy of Goodness, 2024, pp 77-99 from Springer Abstract: Abstract This chapter explores the evolutionary and psychological origins of altruism, positioning it as a fundamental component of human survival and societal advancement. The chapter delves into Darwin’s insights on altruism as an evolutionary advantage, supported by psychological and biological evidence that suggests altruistic behaviors enhance group survival and have become ingrained in human nature through genetic and cultural evolution. It contrasts human societal development with that of other species, highlighting the unique complexity of human social structures and the role of altruistic behaviors in maintaining these structures. The discussion extends into the philosophical realm, where altruism is argued to be both a natural disposition and a moral necessity, critical for the formation of cohesive societies and moral codes. This chapter emphasizes the transformative potential of altruism, not as a mere survival tactic, but as a profound cultural value that fosters mutual aid, cooperation, and the flourishing of communal life, ultimately arguing for a reintegration of altruism into modern economic, political, and social frameworks to address contemporary challenges. Date: 2024 There are no downloads for this item, see the EconPapers FAQ for hints about obtaining it. Related works: Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:spr:sprchp:978-981-97-6363-4_4 Ordering information: This item can be ordered from DOI: 10.1007/978-981-97-6363-4_4 Access Statistics for this chapter More chapters in Springer Books from Springer |
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