Ancestors Quote by Frans de Waal
“Very long ago our ancestors had moral systems. Our current institutions are only a couple of thousand years old, which is really not old in the eyes of a biologist.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Age of Empathy by Frans de Waal, 2009
Human moral systems are recent compared to deep evolutionary timescales, so institutions are young and fragile.
In simple terms: Our moral rules are new in evolutionary terms.
Recognize the limits of our institutions.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- policy making
- education reform
- community building
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we design institutions that endure?
- What evolutionary insights can improve governance?
These systems may lack deep-rooted stability.