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Julio Nicanor's avatar

Thank you for this excellent overview that manages to strike the right balance between cynicism and naiveté about human nature.

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MashStars's avatar

Amazing sourcing.

I'll have to read the linked sources to understand better your critiques on psychological aspects on "othering". I do think there are differences in social dynamics specific to humans due to communication and memory that allow for reinforced behaviors. They would extend past simple social networks/groups, especially so with the recent exponential rise in "group" size.

Great tie-ins from evolutionary biology into pro-social fitness pressures. I wish I could recall what turned me off from Machiavellian altruism as it does allow for complexity outside Mills' utilitarian takes which seem too rigid to me.

Wonderful article!

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