Comments on: What is the logic behind niceness, kindness and even self sacrifice?

By: Mark Fish

Mark Fish — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 14:16:23 +0000

I would have to hypothesis that every action, guided in some way by Darwin & Dawkins, that every action undertaken by an individual is entirely selfish. We enter into contracts/negotiations etc (even if concluded in nanoseconds) with ourselves or exterior forces and the resultant justification (which Derren Predicts with pinpoint accuracy) is the resultant outcome.
Survival of the species etc, a lot of human actions are dictated by our base genetic code of survival of the fittest – we want the most healthy female (beauty is in the eye of the beholder; where beauty = ability to reproduce) to carry on our genes and assist. Where females seek the most virile & dominant male. This is basic evolution. All flight/fight responses are simply the result of our own interrepation in the ultimate out

By: James

James — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 20:48:40 +0000

Game theory is basically applied mathematics, which is relevant to altruism because it talks partially about Evolutionarily Stable Strategies – strategies which, when they exist in the majority of the population, can’t be bettered in the long run by deviant individuals pursuing another strategy. So yes, such co-operation may well be covered by game theory. It’s a fascinating branch, worth reading more on – Wikipedia’s not bad on the subject, but Richard Dawkins’ ‘The Selfish Gene’ has an excellent chapter on game theory, as well as being a damned good read generally.

By: TurboCretin

TurboCretin — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 11:22:14 +0000

We’re social animals, and have evolved around the premise that you can do more as a unit than as individuals. We’re still antagonistic between different groups

By: Stephen

Stephen — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 07:18:57 +0000

So what is game theory?

By: Dan Brown

Dan Brown — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 21:41:38 +0000

Isn’t such cooperation covered by game theory?

By: patrick

patrick — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 19:00:17 +0000

I am for the theory that underneath our conscious thinking there lies a knowledge that we are in fact one family – we identify with this notion to an almost anti-selfish gene level.
when I see a policeman jump to save a drug addict trying to commit suicide and he says something along these lines it reinforces it…
wherever there is a disaster requiring an instant response it isn’t that heroes happen to be the ones standing nearby – among all those who shut off and clam up there are always some who have the instant cut through effect – and save a stranger at great risk to their own lives.

we are one.
Its rather wonderful.

By: roz

roz — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 18:39:12 +0000

everyone takes the path of least resistance. it may not look like the least resistance to us, but it does to them.

By: Martin Huxter

Martin Huxter — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 17:22:01 +0000

I’m currently reading your book and you’ve just discussed this. There’s a good chapter on this area of thought in the Happiness Hypothesis as well.

Great book. Loving every page and don’t worry, I’m sure Hugh has forgiven you.

By: Lynsey

Lynsey — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 17:17:25 +0000

For my ethics homework i have to preform one altruistic good deed to a stranger. i still haven’t done mine yet as i’ve been ill but need to think of something to do soon as we are back at uni next week