The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos

Survival of the Fittest... or the Kindest?

39 snips
Sep 16, 2024
In a thought-provoking discussion, Dr. Jamil Zaki, a psychology professor and author of *Hope for Cynics*, debunks the myth that ruthlessness leads to success. He highlights how cooperation and kindness, as seen in both human and animal behaviors, can pave the way for happiness. Delving into the life of mutual aid advocate Peter Kropotkin, Zaki contrasts these ideas with social Darwinism. He shares compelling examples, such as altruism during crises, and advocates for empathetic leadership in business, proving that compassion can be a powerful strategy for resilience and fulfillment.
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ANECDOTE

Fishing Villages

  • Two fishing villages in Brazil, one ocean-based, the other lake-based, developed different social norms.
  • The ocean village fostered trust and generosity due to collaborative fishing, while the lake village became competitive and selfish due to individual fishing.
INSIGHT

Social Darwinism vs. Mutual Aid

  • Social Darwinism wrongly applies Darwin's theory to justify selfish competition as essential for human success.
  • However, cooperation and kindness are often more advantageous, as seen in the ocean fishing village.
ANECDOTE

Kropotkin's Mutual Aid

  • Peter Kropotkin, a Russian prince turned anarchist and biologist, observed mutual aid in Siberian animals and humans.
  • He argued that cooperation, not competition, is key to survival, challenging social Darwinism.
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