Adaptation Quote by Steven Pinker
“Dominance in an adaptation to anarchy and it serves no purpose in a society that has undergone a civilising process or in an international system regulated by agreements and norms. Anything that deflates the concept of dominance is likely to drive down the frequency of fights between individuals and wars.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Better Angels of Our Nature, 2011
Dominance becomes unnecessary as societies civilize and agree on norms, reducing conflict.
In simple terms: Civilized societies need less dominance.
Key Takeaway
Promote cooperation over competition.
Themes
society
norms
conflict
cooperation
civilization
Mood
analytical
hopeful
Type
philosophical
pragmatic
When to use this quote
- international diplomacy
- community building
- conflict resolution training
- policy making
Key Concepts
social contract
evolution of morality
institutional regulation
Questions to Reflect On
- What structures replace dominance in modern societies?
- How can norms be enforced without coercion?
A Different Perspective
Dominance may still appear in power hierarchies.
