http://donklephant.com/2007/02/20/the-genetics-of-altruism/ Big Teeth. Huge Ass. Surprisingly Reasonable. Sun, 23 Nov 2008 00:27:00 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 http://donklephant.com/2007/02/20/the-genetics-of-altruism/#comment-237679 BenG Thu, 22 Feb 2007 04:20:21 +0000 http://donklephant.com/2007/02/20/the-genetics-of-altruism/#comment-237679 Sean, Interesting post, because it sheds light on a relevant and important issue with new insight. As you put it, you can be moral without religion, and you could be religious without morality. A simple question to illustrate this point; Were people moral and religious before the birth of Christ or the profit Mohammed? Would you consider the priests who stole huge amounts of money from their followers donations to be moral? There's been so many examples in the news of religious people doing very immoral things, and we all know people who do good things but may not go to church every Sunday. The idea of altruism being genetically motivated, as part of our evolution and for our own survival is very understandable. I like the idea. It explains why some people find it so easy to help others, why musicians enjoy sharing their talents, why preachers like to preach. It's not just ego, profit, or getting over on someone. It feels good for a teacher to share knowledge and watch the 'light bulb go on' in the student. Thanks for sharing, it was a good read. Sean,
Interesting post, because it sheds light on a relevant and important issue with new insight. As you put it, you can be moral without religion, and you could be religious without morality. A simple question to illustrate this point; Were people moral and religious before the birth of Christ or the profit Mohammed? Would you consider the priests who stole huge amounts of money from their followers donations to be moral? There’s been so many examples in the news of religious people doing very immoral things, and we all know people who do good things but may not go to church every Sunday.
The idea of altruism being genetically motivated, as part of our evolution and for our own survival is very understandable. I like the idea. It explains why some people find it so easy to help others, why musicians enjoy sharing their talents, why preachers like to preach. It’s not just ego, profit, or getting over on someone. It feels good for a teacher to share knowledge and watch the ‘light bulb go on’ in the student. Thanks for sharing, it was a good read.

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