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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Origin of Preferences
- Economists typically treat preferences as given.
- Rubin questions why we have certain hardwired, heritable preferences.
Extended Development
- Human development continues long after birth, unlike many other species.
- This extended development increased brain size and necessitates a cooperative environment.
Hawk-Dove Analogy
- The hawk-dove analogy illustrates different evolutionary strategies: fighting (hawk) vs. fleeing (dove).
- A mix of these strategies exists within populations, influenced by inherited traits from the EEA.
