Today for my class in Moral Psychology, we read Robert Trivers article The Evolution of Reciprocal Altruism. Trivers provides an evolutionary account for the origins of feelings of sympathy, etc. and neighbor-helping behaviors. According to Trivers account, we have evolved these feelings and behaviors because they are in our long-term self-interest. We feel that we should help others and act upon these feelings because those we help will tend to repay us in time. Thus, helping others is actually a means of helping yourself. (Trivers influenced Richard Dawkins work in The Selfish Gene) . Tonight, we found out that a little girl in Kathleens Kindergarten class had an accident and is in intensive care. The school is not informing Kathleens class yet, but sent home a note to tell parents. Hearing the news, I suggested to Jennifer that we should see if the girls family needs anything. . I then had two thoughts in rapid succession. First: Robert Trivers would say that I am only really motivated to help out this family because the family might repay me some day. Second: Man, Robert Trivers is a jackass.
Posted on: Tue, 08 Apr 2014 01:28:18 +0000
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