Different Matters by Damien Grant Dr Eric Crampton on Different Matters
Aug 21, 2024
Dr. Eric Crampton, chief economist at The New Zealand Initiative, dives into Paul Rubin's thought-provoking exploration of how Darwinian principles shape modern politics. They discuss the evolutionary origins of human preferences, revealing how our ancestral experiences influence current behaviors. Crampton examines political cooperation dynamics through the lens of genetic inheritance and game theory. He also touches on the evolutionary roots of altruism, societal views on wealth, and the complex trade-offs of human intelligence, enriching our understanding of contemporary society.
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Conditional Altruism
- Supporting injured community members is beneficial, but not if they are shirkers.
- This translates to contemporary policy: we support the temporarily disadvantaged, not shirkers.
Kin Selection
- Humans are hardwired to care for their children, regardless of their reproductive potential.
- This explains why a disabled child from the past would have received care.
Sports and Tribalism
- Cheering for sports teams mimics tribalism and support for warriors.
- This behavior reflects our evolutionary past.
