LIFE is
about:
Survival and Reproduction
Reproduction is more important than survival, therefore much of daily existence is about showing off in ways that attract members of the opposite sex and intimidate those of the same sex.
In modern
society, status is mediated by money.
Status,
though, is always relative: it is about outdoing the competition. This is the
ultimate engine of economic growth. Since status is a moving target, there is
no such thing as enough money.
BUT: Once economic growth has lifted a country out of penury, its inhabitants are likely to live longer, healthier lives if there are not huge differences between their incomes. This means that poorer countries with low income-variation can outscore richer ones with high variation. Those at the bottom of social hierarchies have worse health than those at the top.
The sense of justice, ideas of revenge and punishment are unique human concepts that have allowed us to become a successful, collaborative species. It has evolved as mechanisms for societies to function well internally.
Ex: No court sits in judgement over a drake who has raped a duck. A lioness may try to defend her cubs against infanticide, but if she fails she does not plan vengeance against the male who did it. Instead, she usually has sex with him.
It is one of the marvels of civilisation that punishment and revenge have, for the most part, been institutionalised. But to be successful, the institutionalised punishment has to be seen as a proper outcome by the individuals who were harmed. Otherwise, they might mete out their own revenge.
BUT: Once economic growth has lifted a country out of penury, its inhabitants are likely to live longer, healthier lives if there are not huge differences between their incomes. This means that poorer countries with low income-variation can outscore richer ones with high variation. Those at the bottom of social hierarchies have worse health than those at the top.
The sense of justice, ideas of revenge and punishment are unique human concepts that have allowed us to become a successful, collaborative species. It has evolved as mechanisms for societies to function well internally.
Ex: No court sits in judgement over a drake who has raped a duck. A lioness may try to defend her cubs against infanticide, but if she fails she does not plan vengeance against the male who did it. Instead, she usually has sex with him.
It is one of the marvels of civilisation that punishment and revenge have, for the most part, been institutionalised. But to be successful, the institutionalised punishment has to be seen as a proper outcome by the individuals who were harmed. Otherwise, they might mete out their own revenge.
