A New Take on Darwin: Humans Are Kind [VIDEO]
Psychology professor and founder of the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley, Dacher Keltner dispels some well-known beliefs about human nature - showing through neurological research that people are hardwired to care for others.
Charles Darwin is best known for his theories on evolution, especially his take on what propagates a species. If you aren’t familiar with the idea of natural selection, the later coined phrase, ‘survival of the fittest,’ might ring a bell. The premise behind this concept is that the strongest will survive, and those who look out for themselves and their own interests, will be the ones who prosper.
Well Dacher Keltner, a professor of psychology and the founding director of the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley, has a radical premise that sheds a new light on Darwin’s theories – people are hardwired to be kind. Keltner digs deeper into Darwin’s writings and finds that the well-known scientist wrote about how sympathy is actually one of the strongest instincts that humans possess – more powerful than self-interest. Darwin expounded on his sympathy theory, writing that communities with the most sympathetic people are the ones which will flourish - and of course produce the greatest number of children.
Keltner has conducted his own scientific studies into the neurological workings of sympathy, compassion and empathy - with some surprising results. Experiments were conducted in which people were shown pictures of human suffering. While viewing the photos, one of the most primal parts of the brain called the periaqueductal gray was ignited, signifying feelings of compassion.
Keltner and his research team have similarly looked into the practice of giving, backing up the paradoxical fact that that people with less money often give more.
Watch the video to learn more about Keltner’s research, which sheds a new light on existing scientific theories of human nature - revealing that contrary to popular belief, humans are hardwired to care for others.
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