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Pastimes : Let's Talk About Our Feelings!!!
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To: Neocon who wrote (78494)4/19/2000 3:09:00 PM
From: epicure  Read Replies (1) of 108807
 
I have all this background in my head for the way I think, which you do not have. I will give you some of it. It probably won't make any difference though.

Think about where humans have spent most of their time over history. The situation of anonymity- in today's society- is highly unusual. Humans for recorded history have spent time in kin groups- where the deeds of one individual were KNOW by all. His or her whole life history, the balance of good deeds and transgressions, probably remembered by all. NOT only that but the transgressions in MANY societies could devolve upon one's children. WHAT a risk then, to act "badly"- what ever "badly" is defined as. If you stole your children would probably be remembered as "the children of that thief". So the pressure to NOT steal would be very great. It would probably break down under the stress of starvation but for MOST people would not break down but for that. Now, there will always be a certain number of risk takers- who will either become outcasts or leaders. They pay less attention to social consequences. The majority of them probably get pounded into dust by the majority of "moral" societal members. But a small minority keep that genetic profile alive by being successful.

So "morality" is selected for, because it works, and is adaptive. I do not see this as far fetched. I do not see the behavior of humans, as I imagine it to have been, and to be now, as far fetched. I am sure the thoughts I have about needing the good will and good opinion of others (in 3d- not here, thank goodness), come partly or wholly from the selective pressures my ancestors faced- when in a small band good will insured one's very survival. After all at some point "outcasts" truly were cast OUT. That's a stiff penalty.
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