Lecture on Human Selfishness and Altruism

Key Misperception About Human Nature

• Common Misperception: Humans are fundamentally selfish, driven by self-beneficial motivations.
• Counter Argument: Existence of psychopathy suggests humans aren't inherently selfish.

Psychopathy and Human Nature

• Definition: Psychopathy is a disorder where individuals lack genuine care for others.
• Spectrum of Psychopathy: Includes highly psychopathic, moderately psychopathic, and anti-psychopathic individuals.
• Brain Research: Specific brain regions encode the value of others' welfare.

Importance of Trust

• Understanding Human Nature: Encourages trust and enjoyment in relationships.

Abigail Marsh's Research

• Background: Professor of psychology and neuroscience at Georgetown University.
• Research Focus: Neural and cognitive basis of empathy, altruism, and aggression.

Understanding Psychopathy

• History: Derives from psychiatrist Herbie Cleckley's work, "The Mask of Sanity."
• Characteristics:
  • Outward normalcy concealing emotional deficits.
  • Extreme forms can lead to severe antisocial behavior (e.g., serial killer Gary Ridgway).

Psychopathy vs. Sociopathy

• Psychopathy: Scientific and clinical term.
• Sociopathy: Non-scientific term.
• Clinician Practice: Refers to individuals with psychopathy, not as "psychopaths."

Traits of Psychopathy

• Neurodevelopmental Disorder: Affects 1-2% of people; developmental differences from a young age.
• Key Traits:
  • Callous Disposition: Lack of care for others, prone to aggression.
  • Bold, Socially Dominant: Fearlessness, risk underestimation.
  • Disinhibition/Impulsiveness: Tendency to steal, lie without reason.

Altruism and Its Traits

• Anti-Psychopathic Individuals: Exhibit extraordinary altruism.
• Traits of Altruists:
  • Humility and egalitarian view of human worth.
  • Belief in human goodness, sensitivity to others' distress.
  • Valuing welfare of distant or unfamiliar individuals.

Example

• Iron Man: Altruistic character with realistic depiction of altruism.

Measuring Altruism and Psychopathy

• Tests:
  • TriPM: Measures psychopathy.
  • Hexaco Personality Test: Assesses belief in fundamental human value.
• Trend: People are generally becoming more altruistic over time.

Encouraging Altruism

• Promoting Altruism:
  • Flourishing and well-being policies.
  • Initiating small, feasible acts of kindness.
• Reward: Altruism brings joy and self-reinforcement.