Name: The evolution of compassion
Uploaded: 2008-10-31T19:39:00Z
Duration: 16 min 39 s
Description: Robert Wright uses evolutionary biology and game theory to explain why we appreciate the Golden Rule ("Do unto others..."), why we sometimes ignore it and why there’s hope that, in the near future, we might all have the compassion to follow it.

Robert Wright uses evolutionary biology and game theory to explain why we appreciate the Golden Rule ("Do unto others..."), why we sometimes ignore it and why there’s hope that, in the near future, we might all have the compassion to follow it.

The evolution of compassion

Compassion and the golden rule are deeply rooted in human nature, shaped by evolutionary forces like kin selection and reciprocal altruism. While these instincts help us care for family and friends, they also make it easy to exclude others, fueling conflict. Game theory shows that cooperation flourishes in win-win, or non-zero-sum, situations, and history has steadily expanded these connections across societies. Yet, true universal compassion requires effort and imagination beyond what our instincts provide.