Modern Wisdom #181 - Rutger Bregman - Humankind: Are We Good Or Evil?
Jun 8, 2020
Rutger Bregman, a historian and author known for "Humankind" and "Utopia for Realists," challenges prevailing notions about human nature. He argues that deep down, humans are inherently good rather than adversarial. Bregman shares captivating tales, such as the cooperation of shipwrecked boys versus the dystopia of 'Lord of the Flies.' He discusses how trust and kindness can reshape societal structures and highlights resilience in crises, asserting that humans often respond to challenges with solidarity rather than chaos.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Real-Life Lord of the Flies
- Contrary to the fictional Lord of the Flies, a real-life case saw six Tongan boys survive 15 months on a deserted island.
- They cooperated, resolved conflicts peacefully, and even healed a broken leg with traditional medicine.
Survival of the Friendliest
- Humans' true power lies in cooperation and friendliness, not individual intelligence or strength as previously thought.
- The "survival of the friendliest" theory suggests that friendlier individuals had more offspring in prehistoric times.
Origins of Warfare
- Warfare didn't become common until humans settled down and formed groups.
- In-group/out-group dynamics arose with settlements, leading to the beginning of warfare as shown in cave paintings.
