‘Humankind’ Makes the Case That We Are Wired for Happiness
Feb 16, 2024
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Dutch historian Rutger Bregman argues that humans are wired for happiness, challenging prevailing views on human nature. He discusses the shift in scientific perspectives from cynicism to optimism, debunking the veneer theory and exploring our inherent decency. Bregman also examines the impact of beliefs on society, the trauma experienced by soldiers who resist aggression, and the importance of creating institutions based on trust and autonomy.
Research suggests that most people are fundamentally good, challenging the cynical view of human nature that legitimize power structures.
Humans have been naturally selected to be friendly, resulting in physical and behavioral changes, and our ability to cooperate is a defining characteristic.
Deep dives
Most people are pretty decent
Contrary to what the news often portrays, research in various scientific disciplines suggests that most people are fundamentally good. While we are not perfect and capable of negative behavior, there is a growing body of evidence showing that humans are wired to be friendly and cooperative. This shift in understanding challenges the cynical view of human nature that has been used to legitimize power structures. Embracing the idea that most people are decent can lead to positive changes in society, promoting egalitarianism and genuine democracy.
We have evolved to be friendly
Through the process of self-domestication, humans have been naturally selected to be friendly. Biologists refer to this as 'survival of the friendliest.' Over time, this selection has resulted in physical and behavioral changes, such as smaller brains and a friendlier appearance. Our ability to work together and cooperate is a defining characteristic of our species, enabling us to achieve remarkable feats like building pyramids and spaceships. While violence exists, research shows that humans find it inherently difficult, often struggling to engage in acts of violence and experiencing trauma when they do. Friendliness is our true superpower.
Our assumptions shape our society
Our beliefs about human nature have a profound impact on the institutions and systems we create. If we assume that most people are selfish, our society reflects that assumption, fostering competition, hierarchy, and distrust. However, if we shift our view and assume that most people are decent, we have the opportunity to design institutions that rely on intrinsic motivation and trust. Examples, such as a healthcare organization in the Netherlands that operates with self-directed teams of nurses, demonstrate the potential for success when we update our understanding of human nature. Ideas are not mere ideas; they can become self-fulfilling prophecies that shape our society.
Humans, it turns out, are pretty decent. That's according to Dutch historian Rutger Bregman, whose book "Humankind: A Hopeful History" was praised by our very own Daniel Pink for making a "bold, sweeping argument" — one you'll hear pieces of today — "[that] will make you rethink what you believe about society, democracy, and human nature itself."