Embracing "evolutionary enlightenment" can debunk societal myths, alleviate personal guilt, and inspire humane cultural solutions.

The concept of human nature has often been avoided due to concerns that it could be used to justify inequality. This avoidance, however, leaves us in the dark about our own species. To fully understand ourselves, we need to embrace what can be termed as "evolutionary enlightenment." Historically, Enlightenment thinkers such as Kant incorporated religious myths of purpose, human superiority, sinfulness, and Eurocentrism into secular thought. This incorporation led to the emergence of Social Darwinism and racism. After the horrors of WWII, biological explanations for human behavior were largely rejected. However, this rejection also created an "evo-taboo," which hindered constructive conversations about human nature. In the present day, popular discussions about human nature often draw unreliable conclusions from individual experiences, ancient philosophies of the elite, or the limited data sets of Western psychology. The common mistake in these discussions is the neglect of our deep evolutionary past that has shaped us over thousands of years. This cultural oversight tends to prioritize the unusual present as the only standard. To correct this, we need to adopt scientifically informed evolutionary understandings that acknowledge both our biological and cultural heritage. This approach will debunk myths such as the idea that selfishness is "natural," gender roles are "innate," or that modern unhappiness is a reflection of personal flaws. Instead, it suggests that our discontent stems from a mismatch between our deep-seated psychology and recent societal conditions. Understanding our evolutionary history can drive change by showing that our problems are not individual shortcomings, but shared legacies that require new cultural solutions. It can also explain why many people feel a deep-seated unease, given that our current environment is so different from our long evolutionary history. This understanding can free people from feelings of guilt and blame. With this knowledge, we can be optimistic about our ability to create more humane cultural conditions.

The discordance between our evolutionary instincts, cultural conditioning, and rational thought can be mitigated by reshaping cultural norms to align with our universal needs.

Let's break down human nature into three main components: first nature, second nature, and third nature. First nature is all about our biological instincts. These are the traits that have been shaped by evolution to help us survive in a hunter-gatherer society. Second nature, on the other hand, is all about the cultural conditioning we receive through socialization. It's the norms and values we learn from our families, schools, and societies. Third nature is our ability to use rational thought to solve new and complex problems. For a long time, these three aspects of human nature worked together harmoniously. Life was simple and straightforward. But then came the Agricultural Revolution, and things started to change. Our second and third natures had to expand and adapt to manage these new conditions, which didn't always align with our first nature. Instead of adapting biologically, we started adapting culturally. However, culture has a tendency to hold onto the past through institutions and traditions. This means that today, our three natures are coming from very different time periods and don't always fit together well. Our first nature is still stuck in the Stone Age, while our second nature is often influenced by outdated cultural norms we learned in childhood. Our third nature, meanwhile, is trying to operate in the rational present. This mismatch within us and within society can cause a lot of friction. We can't solve these problems just by optimizing ourselves as individuals. Instead, we need to identify the harmful parts of our cultural legacy and reshape our conditions to better align with our universal first nature needs. We can use the logic and ethics of our third nature to guide us in this process. This is how we can create a more just and humane world. There's a lot of hope in this idea. We can improve society by thoughtfully changing our culture. But we have to be careful not to blindly defend cultural differences and norms. These things are invented, not innate. They can divide us, while our shared first nature has the potential to bring us together. Understanding our evolutionary roots is the key to making social progress.

Understanding our evolutionary roots can help us counteract inherent social biases and promote collective moral progress.

Human social psychology has its roots deeply embedded in our evolutionary history as hunter-gatherers. We have an inherent tendency to categorize people into "in-groups" and "out-groups," treating the latter with suspicion and hostility. This instinct to distinguish between friends and foes was beneficial for our ancestors who lived in small groups and faced constant threats. However, in today's world, this instinct can be manipulated by leaders and manipulators to incite prejudice, dehumanization, and violence on a large scale. We also have a strong bias towards conformity, often rejecting anything that deviates from the norm. Furthermore, we are quick to suspend empathy and moral rules when it comes to those we perceive as the "out-group." Our sense of morality, which evolved within small groups, is centered around the principle of reciprocity rather than universal humanism. As we transitioned from a nomadic lifestyle to a settled one, adopting agriculture, these latent instincts were unleashed. This led to the emergence of war, male domination, and institutions that contradicted the egalitarian norms of our hunter-gatherer ancestors, such as slavery and inheritance. New norms that legitimized inequality and oppression were created and internalized. Despite this, our sense of morality remains flexible. Empathy is often restricted based on group loyalty and self-interest. However, there is hope. As prosperity grows, the circle of empathy expands, and unjust pragmatic limits are increasingly being abolished. Our inherent concern for reputation also acts as a check on selfish behavior. Moreover, our shared primal nature can serve as an ethical compass, steering cultural innovation towards greater universal fairness. By viewing humanity through the lens of evolution, we can understand our social shortcomings not as individual faults but as common obstacles that require collective solutions. Recognizing the roots of biases such as xenophobia allows us to counter them with enlightened thinking. Being aware of past mistakes like conformity helps us resist them. This enlightened understanding of our evolutionary past can pave the way for moral progress.

The rise of monotheistic religion replaced intuitive, nature-based spirituality with oppressive doctrines, leading to social injustices and spiritual suppression.

The rise of monotheistic religion has had a profound impact on human spirituality, and not always for the better. This is a concept that is still affecting us today. There was once an intuitive, grassroots form of religion, deeply rooted in nature and the world around us. This "religion from below" was then replaced by a more oppressive "religion from above", which was used to serve the needs of those in power. This shift in religious focus led to the eradication of older gods and spirits, leaving people without a way to express their inherent spiritual needs. It also resulted in the loss of traditional knowledge about healing and death. Furthermore, it introduced a new fear of death and a sense of meaninglessness that was not present in older traditions that believed in rebirth. Perhaps the most harmful aspect of this shift was the use of religion to justify social injustices, inequality, and oppression as being divinely ordained. This created a skewed moral code and made it seem as though a state of emergency was the natural order of things. It also led to the demonization of natural aspects of life, such as sexuality, labeling them as sinful. As this oppressive form of religion has begun to fade, people's suppressed spiritual needs have started to surface. This has led to a surge in interest in neo-paganism and esotericism. However, without established cultural channels to guide this spiritual exploration, the result is often a chaotic mix of beliefs and practices. Despite this, the spontaneous nature of these practices shows the resilience of our inherent spirituality, which has been denied for so long. The recovery of this lost aspect of our humanity could have many benefits. For example, it could lead to a greater awareness of our ecological responsibilities. However, this spiritual chaos can also give rise to reactionary fundamentalism. By understanding the evolutionary roots of religion, we can begin to overcome the harmful legacies that are still distorting our moral and cultural landscapes. With this knowledge, we can work towards creating a more just and fulfilling life.

Historical cultural shifts and religious influence have distorted human sexuality from its evolutionary roots, but modern advancements and enlightenment can help reclaim our natural instincts.

Significant cultural shifts, such as the advent of agriculture and the rise of patriarchy have warped human sexuality away from its evolutionary roots. The transition to a settled lifestyle paved the way for polygyny, intensifying the competition among males for reproductive success. Women were reduced to mere possessions, passed down through male lineage. This resulted in practices like arranged cousin marriages, which were primarily aimed at preserving property. Christianity further cemented this patriarchal structure, imposing a system of lifelong monogamy that, in reality, shackled women. It vilified sex and even went as far as to label female allure as sinful. Despite these constraints, our inherent promiscuity continued to resist. In the present day, remnants of this past, such as the obsession with virginity, still subtly persist. However, the economic advancements made by women, coupled with the advent of birth control, have allowed for greater sexual autonomy. This has gradually begun to chip away at the patriarchal restrictions on intimacy, although these outdated norms still persist in many minds. By applying an evolutionary lens, we can unmask the historical oppressions that have been disguised as moral norms. Our adaptable biology has allowed us to conform to imposed systems, such as lifelong marriage. However, these systems are in direct violation of our natural instincts. To make ethical progress, we must shed these burdens and honor our deep-seated needs. As religious influence wanes, a multitude of identities and arrangements are emerging. However, without evolved cultural pathways to guide them, much of this is still ungrounded experimentation. Social conflicts are erupting over newly asserted rights. Yet, enlightenment can help to quell these reactive backlashes by eliminating claims of divine ordinance. Science can provide us with humane solutions that are tailored to our species. In this way, truth can liberate our intimate lives.

The evolving roles of children and the elderly in societies highlight the need for community support and intergenerational integration for human well-being.

Let's delve into the roles of children and the elderly in human evolution and society. In the early days, hunter-gatherer societies practiced cooperative breeding. This meant that children were raised by a wide network of caregivers, not just their parents. This approach fostered sociability, language development, and cumulative cultural learning. On the other hand, agricultural societies placed a heavy emphasis on obedience and exploited child labor. In today's world, we often see isolated nuclear families with little community support. This setup can pose significant challenges for the healthy development of children. Now, let's turn our attention to the elderly. In hunter-gatherer societies, older people were highly respected as they were seen as storehouses of knowledge and experience. Their conservative approach provided a counterbalance to the impulsiveness of the youth in group decision-making. However, in times of crisis, they were sometimes left behind. With the advent of agriculture, patriarchs gained control over property and women. In our modern society, older people are respected if they continue to be useful, either through financial inheritance or by providing childcare. However, their knowledge is often undervalued due to the rapid pace of technological change. This can lead to generational conflicts over values, identities, and pressing issues such as climate change. One potential solution to these conflicts is to promote intergenerational exchange and learning networks. This would allow us to make the most of the time and experience of our older generations.

The evolution of democracy has been marred by inequality, and to achieve a truly equitable society, we must address economic disparity through progressive reforms.

In the times of hunter-gatherer societies, there was an egalitarian form of democracy. Everyone had an equal say in decision-making, creating a consensus-driven society. However, things changed with the advent of the agricultural revolution. The concept of private property was introduced, and with it came wealth inequality. This shift led to the rise of patriarchy, despotism, and exploitation. Moving forward to the Enlightenment era, there was a partial return to democratic ideals. However, it didn't fully address the underlying inequality rooted in property and capital ownership. Then came the era of capitalism, which presented new opportunities for men to amass wealth and power. This accumulation of resources, according to the "Bateman principle," could increase a man's reproductive success. Capitalist ideology further cemented inequality, presenting it as a natural occurrence. There were attempts to challenge this injustice through populist revolts, but even socialism fell short. In the present day, capitalism and democracy are so closely intertwined that they enable plutocracy. Right-wing populism leverages the public's anger over inequality to destabilize democracy itself. For a true democracy to thrive, we need to eliminate not just political despotism, but also excessive economic inequality. This aligns with our human evolutionary history, where we started as egalitarian hunter-gatherers. Implementing progressive taxation, setting caps on inheritance, and fostering global cooperation can pave the way for a fairer distribution of wealth and opportunities. By doing so, we can bridge the gap between our innate preference for fairness and the current state of inequality. The ultimate goal is to "complete" democracy through these reforms, creating a global society that is equitable for all. This is not just a dream, but a feasible reality if we commit to making these changes.

Principles promoting social connections, diversity, equality, and creativity can guide us towards a more humane society.

Reflecting on the insights gathered, it becomes clear that certain principles can help shape a more humane society. These principles underline the significance of social connections, hands-on experiences, diversity, democratic involvement, reducing inequality, and ensuring equal opportunities for all. Other principles encourage us to reconsider our work ethics, freedom in relationships, support for children, secularized faith, and creating spaces for healthy competition. At this point in history, we're witnessing the end of domination and a burst of diverse lifestyles. The solutions to our problems should come from cooperative and creative efforts from the ground up, rather than being imposed from the top down. Understanding our evolutionary history can guide us in fostering positive social change. However, we face hurdles due to cultural lag and rigid social structures. These principles are designed to align society more closely with the beneficial aspects of human nature and to counteract any problematic tendencies. The ultimate aim is to create a world where everyone can thrive in an environment of liberty, equality, and solidarity. Wrapping up, it's important to underscore the interconnectedness of humans, the cumulative nature of creativity, and the necessity to rekindle a sense of gratitude in our modern society. This way, we can ensure a more harmonious coexistence for all.

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Being Human - Book Summary (2024)

Carel van Schaik, Kai Michel

"Being Human" is a philosophical exploration of the human condition, examining the complexities of human consciousness, emotions, and our relationship with the world around us.

Key Ideas

There's a fundamental issue with the state of humanity today. It's normal to feel a sense of existential discontent and unease, and these feelings are not personal shortcomings that need therapy or self-help. Instead, they're natural reactions to the unnatural world we've created.

This issue can be traced back to the agricultural revolution several millennia ago, which drastically altered the way humans live. Our psychological evolution is still geared towards a hunter-gatherer lifestyle, not the settled agrarian civilization we've become. This results in a clash between our biology and our culture.

Our modern society, with its relentless competition, consumerism, and inequality, goes against our inherent social and psychological needs. Issues like depression, anxiety, and lack of purpose aren't individual pathologies, but rational responses to an irrational system. The personal empowerment industry wrongly points the finger at people for not fitting into this flawed system.

Looking at issues from an evolutionary perspective, we can see how interconnected they are, rather than dividing them into individual, social, and global categories. It becomes clear that addressing core existential issues would also alleviate broader problems like inequality, identity conflicts, and environmental destruction. However, outdated thinking is a barrier to recognizing these connections.

Summary

"Being Human" by Carel van Schaik and Kai Michel is a thought-provoking exploration of human evolution and the role of culture in shaping our species. The authors argue that our ability to learn from others and pass on knowledge has been a key factor in our survival and development. They delve into the concept of cultural evolution, explaining how it has shaped our behaviors, beliefs, and societies. The book also discusses the impact of our environment on our evolution, highlighting the importance of adaptability and flexibility in our survival.

Actions to Implement Learnings

Embrace Cultural Diversity: Understand that cultural diversity is a result of human evolution and should be respected and celebrated.
Learn from Others: Recognize the importance of learning from others and passing on knowledge, as this has been a key factor in human survival and development.
Adapt to Changes: Be open to change and adapt to new environments or situations, as adaptability has been crucial in human evolution.
Value Knowledge: Appreciate the importance of knowledge in human evolution and strive to acquire and share knowledge.
Understand Human Behavior: Use the insights from the book to better understand human behavior and its evolutionary roots.
Promote Cooperation: Encourage cooperation in your community or organization, as cooperation has been a key factor in human survival and development.
Respect the Environment: Understand the impact of the environment on human evolution and strive to protect and respect the environment.
Promote Cultural Evolution: Encourage cultural evolution in your community or organization by promoting learning, sharing of knowledge, and adaptability.
Understand the Role of Culture: Recognize the role of culture in shaping human behavior and society and use this understanding to promote cultural understanding and respect.
Promote Cultural Understanding: Use the insights from the book to promote cultural understanding and respect in your community or organization.

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