TED Talks Daily The biology of our best and worst selves | Robert Sapolsky
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May 9, 2017 
Robert Sapolsky, a renowned neuroscientist and primatologist, dives into the duality of human nature in this fascinating talk. He explores why we exhibit both compassion and violence, analyzing the intricate web of biology, genetics, and environment. By examining historical contexts, he highlights how understanding our past can guide future change. Listeners are invited to reconsider notions of morality and transformation, illuminating how awareness of our biological drives can lead to better choices and a deeper understanding of humanity.
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Dual Nature of Humans
- Humans are both violently brutal and altruistically compassionate.
- The challenge is understanding the biology behind our best and worst behaviors in context.
Multiple Causality Levels
- Human behavior results from multiple causal levels from immediate brain activity to evolutionary history.
- Momentary actions reflect influences from seconds to millions of years before.
Cultural and Evolutionary Influence
- Cultural and evolutionary histories shape present behavior patterns.
- Our species lies between primates with high or low aggression, reflecting a complex potential range.