Part 1: The Weaker Springs of Human Nature

The idea that humans are fundamentally selfish and prone to violence without the constraints of civilization is deeply rooted in Western culture. This perspective was championed by thinkers like Thomas Hobbes and Alexander Hamilton, who argued that government and hierarchy were necessary to prevent society from descending into chaos. However, modern evidence from anthropology and archaeology challenges this view, showing that cooperation and altruism are innate human traits. Our beliefs about human nature have practical implications in various aspects of life, such as education and management. The assumption that people are selfish can perpetuate hierarchies and social controls, while viewing others as fundamentally decent can lead to a different kind of society.