Altruism is an Instinct

I’ve listened to Bill Nye the Science Guy read his book: Undeniable: Evolution and the Science of Creation at least three times as I ride my trike around the neighborhood each morning. It has answered a lot of questions I’ve had forever on things like skin color, the age of the earth, GMF, stem cells,  and especially exactly what evolution is. I’ve never understood it. I don’t understand it now, even after listening to it three times. He pretty well explains everything on a 4^th grade level but its complicated stuff. Heady. Potent. I try hard to grasp it. I never learned science in school.

All of the chapters were compelling but the one that grabbed me was Chapter 26 on altruism. I didn’t know it was a science. I thought it was a feeling. Altruism occurs wildly in nature. It is engrained in all mammals. When Vampire Bats go out hunting for blood each night, the ones who are lucky enough to find nourishing blood share with the ones who found no dinner by regurgitating the blood into the mouths of the hungry ones.

Altruism is the instinct that makes us look out for one another. Did you know it is an instinct?  It is encoded in us somewhere.  We expend energy for the good of another naturally. We render service for the betterment of our neighbors or those less fortunate simply because it is doing the right thing. Sure it makes us feel good.

Altruism is derived from a Greek work meaning: “To this other.”

Being selfless means helping another without expecting a reward. It is a mutually beneficial arrangement for all of us. 

This is the part I hadn’t considered:

Altruism requires enforcement at times.

Have you ever been mean just because it makes you feel better?

Ever felt compelled to get back at someone who has wronged you?

Have you ever sought revenge?

Have you noticed it takes a lot of time and energy to exact revenge? It isn’t easy. But by doing so we are helping to keep our society in balance.  Evolutionary scientists claim that we feel compelled to get back at someone who has wronged us because its good for society.  It keeps everyone honest. It’s in the tribe’s best interest. It is altruistically beneficial, keeping us in check.

We help each other out when we need to; on the other hand, to keep things in balance we should not be ashamed to practice altruistic punishment. It helps keep the whole system of altruism running smoothly.

So where am I going?

When we have no means to seek revenge there are no checks and balances. As time goes by, things get way out of whack. Demigods and dictatorships are established, silencing too many voices and the tribe suffers. We each should have a bit part to play; at least acknowledged as a valued member of the tribe.

If science can figure out that we are happiest and healthiest when we serve each other and that altruism is an essential part of who we are and altruistic punishment is part of that, then I’m wondering what happens to a society based on fear of retribution if you ever dare to stand up for yourself let alone seek revenge.

My world.

My country.

My church.

My family.

Too.