... the cooperative forces are biologically the more…
“... the cooperative forces are biologically the more important and vital. The balance between the cooperative and altruistic tendencies and those which are disoperative and egoistic is relatively close. Under many conditions the cooperative forces lose, In the long run, however, the group centered, more altruistic drives are slightly stronger. ... human altruistic drives are as firmly based on an animal ancestry as is man himself. Our tendencies toward goodness... are as innate as our tendencies toward intelligence; we could do well with more of both.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Cooperative and altruistic tendencies balance with selfish drives; over time, group‑oriented altruism tends to be slightly stronger.
In simple terms: Altruism and cooperation often win over selfishness in the long run.
Key Takeaway
Promote cooperative behavior to strengthen group outcomes.
Themes
cooperation
altruism
human nature
evolution
balance
group dynamics
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
Ancestry:0
Animal:0
Balance:0
Conditions:0
Cooperation:0
Cooperatives:0
Force:0
Goodness:0
Groups:0
Humans:0
Important:0
Innate:0
Long:0
Long run:0
Long runs:0
Loses:0
Men:0
Motivation:0
Running:0
Stronger:0
Tendencies:0
Wells:0
Altruistic Tendencies:0
Cooperative Altruistic:0
Cooperative Forces:0
Altruistic Drives:0
Human Altruistic:0
When to use this quote
- team projects
- community building
- policy design
- education
- leadership
Key Concepts
evolutionary psychology
social behavior
collective welfare
competition
trade‑offs
Questions to Reflect On
- What mechanisms can societies use to encourage altruistic behavior?
- How does individual selfishness affect collective well‑being?