255 | Michael Muthukrishna on Developing a Theory of Everyone
Oct 30, 2023
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In a thought-provoking discussion, Michael Muthukrishna, an Associate Professor at LSE and author of 'A Theory of Everyone,' explores a unifying theory that bridges psychology, culture, and economics. He delves into the complexities of human behavior, emphasizing the significance of social learning and cultural transmission. Muthukrishna also highlights the role of energy in societal development and presents innovative ideas for education and governance, advocating for decentralized approaches. Lastly, he addresses the erosion of trust in institutions and offers solutions for a more equitable future.
Human cognition is shaped by cultural evolution and the transmission of social information.
The availability and use of energy have played a central role in shaping human societies and technological advancement.
Societies need to navigate the shrinking space of possibilities by addressing the uncertain future, cooperating, and innovating in light of decreasing energy availability.
Deep dives
The Evolution of Human Cognition and Cultural Knowledge
Humans are unique in that they possess a third line of information or a second line of inheritance, which is cultural software accumulated over time. This cultural line of information is transmitted and evolves beyond conscious awareness, allowing humans to have a different kind of cognition. Our reliance on social information and agreement to use that information has fueled the accumulation of knowledge and the ability to think new thoughts. This cultural evolution has played a significant role in shaping human societies and the advancement of technology.
The Interplay Between Energy and Human History
Throughout human history, the search for energy, both food calories and other forms of energy, has been a central organizing principle. The transition from relying on the gravitational energy of the moon and sunlight to the discovery of fire and the development of agriculture as a solar-based technology opened up new opportunities for human societies to grow and innovate. The Industrial Revolution marked another major milestone as humans exploited stored solar energy, such as coal, oil, and natural gas. However, the returns on energy investment have been decreasing, leading to a shrinking space of possibilities and challenges in maintaining social fabric and progress.
The Impact of Excess Energy on Innovation and Inequality
Excess energy has been a driving force behind innovation and societal progress, but as the energy return on investment decreases, societies face challenges in maintaining progress and addressing inequality. Innovations brought by excess energy have allowed for higher population growth, division of labor, and the creation of cities. However, as excess energy declines, societies experience scarcity and a shift to a zero-sum mentality, where one's success comes at the expense of others. Efforts to achieve sustainable societies and mitigate climate change require new approaches that align with the limits of energy availability and the need for cooperation and innovation.
The Complex Nature of Equilibrium and Human Nature
Contrary to the idea of reaching a stable equilibrium, human history is characterized by transitions and change rather than a steady state. Human societies are driven by competition and the pursuit of excess energy, making long-term sustainability challenging. The human nature that values competition, progress, and inequality limits the feasibility of maintaining a sustainable equilibrium. Instead, societies need to navigate the shrinking space of possibilities by addressing the uncertain future and finding ways to cooperate and innovate in light of decreasing energy availability.
The Importance of Abundance for Sustainability and Climate Change
The speaker emphasizes the need for a new era of abundance in order to tackle sustainability issues and climate change. Countries that are wealthy and have resources are better equipped to invest in environmental preservation and create a clean environment. The example of Australia's successful restoration of the Great Barrier Reef is given as a result of their wealth and willingness to invest. The message is that abundance, rather than scarcity, is key in addressing these global challenges.
Addressing Inequality and Fractures in Society
The podcast explores the relationship between inequality and societal fractures, such as political polarization and the rise of populism and authoritarianism. It argues that people value fairness and the opportunity to succeed based on their own efforts. When society fails to provide equal opportunities and wealth becomes concentrated over time, fractures in society become more pronounced. The solution is to invest in infrastructure, education, and energy technologies that raise the overall well-being and create a fair playing field for all. Land value taxes are proposed as a non-distortionary and fair tax mechanism to address wealth appropriation and prevent the entrenchment of inequality.
A "Theory of Everything" is physicists' somewhat tongue-in-cheek phrase for a hypothetical model of all the fundamental physical interactions. Of course, even if we had such a theory, it would tell us nothing new about higher-level emergent phenomena, all the way up to human behavior and society. Can we even imagine a "Theory of Everyone," providing basic organizing principles for society? Michael Muthukrishna believes we can, and indeed that we can see the outlines of such a theory emerging, based on the relationships of people to each other and to the physical resources available.
Michael Muthukrishna received his Ph.D. in psychology from the University of British Columbia. He is currently Associate Professor of Economic Psychology at the London School of Economics and Political Science. Among his awards are an Emerging Scholar Award from the Society for Personality and Social Psychology and a Dissertation Excellence Award from the Canadian Psychological Association. His new book is A Theory of Everyone: The New Science of Who We Are, How We Got Here, and Where We're Going.
