“Altruism, compassion, empathy, love, conscience, the sense of justice—all of these things, the things that hold society together, the things that allow our species to think so highly of itself, can now confidently be said to have a firm genetic… — Robert Wright Copy Share Image
“Perhaps the most legitimately dispiriting thing about reciprocal altruism is that it is a misnomer. Whereas with kin selection the "goal" of our genes is to actually help another organism, with reciprocal altruism the goal is that the organism be… — Robert Wright Copy Share Image
Your brain may give birth to any technology, but other brains will decide whether the technology thrives. The number of possible technologies is infinite,… — Robert Wright Copy Share
“What has Athens to do with Jerusalem?" asked the Christian theologian Tertullian... Having received the revealed thruth via Christ, "we want no curious disputation."… — Robert Wright Copy Share
“A female in a high-MPI species may seek signs of generosity, trustworthiness, and, especially, an enduring commitment to her in particular.” — Robert Wright Copy Share
“And don’t feel like you’re committing a felony-level violation of Buddhist dogma just because you think of yourself as being a self.” — Robert Wright Copy Share
“The keen sensitivity with which people detect the flaws of their rivals is one of nature's wonders. It takes a Herculean effort to control… — Robert Wright Copy Share
“realizing you’re not king can be the first step toward getting some real power.” — Robert Wright Copy Share
“happiness comes down to choosing between the discomfort of becoming aware of your mental afflictions and the discomfort of being ruled by them.” — Robert Wright Copy Share
“They will, on the one hand, have sex with just about anything that moves, given an easy chance, like males in a low-MPI species.… — Robert Wright Copy Share
Like a lawyer, the human brain wants victory, not truth; and, like a lawyer, it is sometimes more admirable for skill than virtue. — Robert Wright Copy Share
“It may seem seem cynical to see all religion as basically self-serving, and indeed the idea has been put pithily by a famous cynic.… — Robert Wright Copy Share
“Brewer said the basic idea is to not fight the urge to, say, smoke a cigarette. That doesn’t mean you succumb to the urge… — Robert Wright Copy Share
Humans have various ways of coping with extended stress, and one is the anticipation of a better time. Here, as with retribution, there is… — Robert Wright Copy Share
God knows greed won't vanish. Neither will hatred or chauvanism. Human nature is a stubborn thing. But it isn't beyond control. Even if our… — Robert Wright Copy Share
“natural selection didn’t design your mind to see the world clearly; it designed your mind to have perceptions and beliefs that would help take… — Robert Wright Copy Share
