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The Drive For Altruism Is Hardwired
Dekortage writes "The Washington Post is reporting on recent neuroscience research indicating that the brain is pre-wired to enjoy altruism — placing the interests of others ahead of one's own. In studies, '[G]enerosity activated a primitive part of the brain that usually lights up in response to food or sex... Altruism, the experiment suggested, was not a superior moral faculty that suppresses basic selfish urges but rather was basic to the brain, hard-wired and pleasurable.' Such research 'has opened up a new window on what it means to be good,' although many philosophers over recorded history have suggested similar things."
2- Social animals have a higher survival rate when their pack mates are healthy, altruism helps survival, and is an evolutionary pressure.
You can't take the sky from me...
Did I?
http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/04/04/neurotheolog
To misuse an old cliche, you must be new here.
Seriously, a hardwired belief is not proof of the belief. Much to the contrary, it explains why every culture in the world expressed that hardwiring in widely different ways. Belief in a power greater than ourselves is the result of our dependence as infant to parents greater tan ourselves at the time, which we keep once we become those powers, so we make something up to fill the void.
Now if you'll excuse me, Zeus wants me to burn some goat fat. If I don't do it, I might get hit by lightning!
You can't take the sky from me...
You can't take the sky from me...
Socialism is violence, plain and simple, which causes poverty by definition of focrcing tranferances of physical material wealth that is not voluntarily forthcoming. Where are the calls for ending "looks" inequality? How is it "fair" or not "violent crime inducing" for one person to have exclusive access to a subjectively "prettier" woman? Because people should be free to be and give what is their's to whom they want when they want? Is "rape with representation" justified to "share the wealth"? You can vote someone into sexual servitude because that's a "positive externality that would benefit everyone"? People should be free to associate sexually when and with whom they want but not be granted the same respect with their other property? People only act, only charitably donate, when by definition it benefits them. That's why they choose particular charities and exclude other particular charities. This is a good thing, as it prevents waste and increases wealth for all who freely trade. How ironic for a "socialist" to talk about ending poverty, when absolutely every free exchange by definition makes people wealthier, ends poverty. When you use violence to rape, or violence to vote/take others property through taxation you are by definition *causing* poverty, in absolutely every instance. But sure, universal ownership works perfectly in the non-scarce realm of ideas. Banish all copyright/patent protection. Nobody can produce more quality music then they receive for free in return (least of all not "rip off" the ideas of others).
"From DNA to P2P, we are all Copycats now. Go Go Copycat Power! Copycat Powers activate! Form of, a Copycat." --monxrtr
Obviously, people who are altruistic shouldn't give their time to actually act on their belief, they should be helpfull cogs, working more overtime for no money. What kind of fascist wet dream is that?
P.S. If you're ever in need of first aid at a public event, ask if the respondent is employed or volunteering. Refuse treatment if he's a volunteer.
P.P.S. Don't worry, if you pass out we'll place your inert body so you don't suffocate in your own vomit, we're allowed to do that even if you refused treatment before your condition became life-threatning.
You can't take the sky from me...