Humans are different, for we cooperate with complete genetic strangers - workmates, neighbours, anonymous people in far-off countries. Why on earth do we do that?
For several decades, researchers have had a possible explanation: apparently selfless acts are nothing of the kind, but are instead a clever way of promoting individual self-interest. When rivals meet again and again, for example, the rewards of cooperation can outweigh the costs of conflict, so getting along pays dividends. Scientists have also come to realise what philanthropists such as Getty and Gates have long known: that altruism does wonders for your reputation. But does cooperation always have self-interested roots? Some researchers are starting to have their doubts.
Over the past decade, experiments devised by Ernst Fehr of the University of Zurich in Switzerland, among others, have shown that many people will cooperate with others even when it is absolutely clear they have nothing to gain. A capacity for true altruism seems to be a part of human nature. It is a heartening discovery, yet one that has also touched off a firestorm of debate.# posted by
Gerry Canavan @ 11:22 PM
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