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The Evolutionary Perspective of Wealth
While trying to understand the origins of the recent financial crisis, I took it upon myself to form a cogent definition of what "wealth" is. The website thefreedictionary.com provides, among others, the following definition of wealth:
"An abundance of valuable material possessions or resources; riches" .
However, I find this definition ( Read more... ) -
Is Procrastination Programmed by Evolution?
I've often had trouble finishing the tasks I set for myself on time. Typically I start in the morning with a list of things to do, but as the day wears on, inevitably my inner gremlins tempt me to chill out, surf the web and postpone a couple of tasks to the next day. I'm doing ok as such, but I'd surely be better off if procrastination could be ( Read more... ) -
"Population Bomb" article in Foreign Affairs.
An article regarding the likely consequence of population ageing and decline, particularly for Europe. It takes too much of a politically safe perspective IMO, but the overall theme is very cogent and timely.
http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/65735/jack-a-goldstone/the-new-population-bomb
NOTE: You will have to sign up (for free) to read the ( Read more... ) -
Implications of the Evolutionary Basis of Morality; Why Animal Rights are Wrong.
As I have indicated below, I believe that codes of morality are the cultural equivalent of genes; those that are beneficial to the organism predominate, and those not, become extinct over the long term. However, social changes are much more rapid than genetic adaptations to those changes, and many undesirable genes persist.
For instance, many ( Read more... ) -
The Evolutionary Origin of Morality
I have posted this elsewhere before, but you've probably not seen it there, so here goes.
EVOLUTIONARY ORIGIN OF MORALITY:
It is well known that the process of evolution selects traits and behaviors that maximize the survival and reproduction of the individual/group who possesses the aforementioned traits/behaviors.
These behaviors are classically ( Read more... ) -
Introductory Post
I’m starting this blog to present my views on various aspects of human society. I believe that if similar perspectives were more widely held, society would be much better off, benefitting myself and my progeny and hopefully you too, dear reader.
I have gained a great deal of insight, or at least think I have, into social issues and behaviour by ( Read more... )