From: Ed Weick <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>>I go further than that Ed, capitalism fits OUR KIND OF ANIMAL.
>>
>>The key to solving our collective problem lies in understanding
>>human behavior. The best "scientific" explanations of human behavior
>>are to be found in the discipline of Evolutionary Psychology.
[snip]
>the species. However, beyond accepting this point, I found that much of
>what you say about evolutionary psychology crude and mechanistic. A very
>major difference between human beings and other species is that we not only
>adapt to our environment, we adapt the environment to ourselves. We do so
The difference between humans and other animals is one
of "quantity" -- not quality. For example, many animals
adapt environments to themselves. But humans do it on a
colossal scale.
The major reason for the large difference in "quantity"
between between humans and other animals, is our innate
technology: speech, large brains, opposing thumbs.
>to us in a holistic and satisfying way. Our needs are partly rooted in
>biological survival, but largely, I would say, based on who and what we
have
>become spiritually, socially, and culturally.
This is true, however it is a matter of "quantity" again.
Here are two good books "social" evolutionary theory:
GOOD NATURED: The Origins of Right and Wrong in Humans and Other Animals,
by Frans De Wall; Harvard University Press, 1996; ISBN: 0674356616
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN=0674356616/4520-3664168-414119
THE ORIGINS OF VIRTUE: Human Instincts and the Evolution of Cooperation
by Matt Ridley; Viking Pr, 1997; ISBN: 0670874493
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN=0670874493/4520-3664168-414119
>systems, some of which differed profoundly from capitalism as it is now
>practiced. Feudalism, for example, was not based on market transactions,
>but on systems of mutual obligations and loyalties. However, I would
Good point. I was using "capitalism" to denote a system
of markets, exploitation (making the best use of something --
including other people: profit) and lying (intent to deceive:
advertising). If Feudalism did not have markets, profit,
and advertising, then it didn't have capitalism. This shows
that capitalism is not inevitable.
Nevertheless, exploiting and lying (as defined above) IS
innate to humans -- we all do it. This is what I meant when
I said that capitalism "fits" our kind of animal. Moreover,
because of its "fit", capitalism has superceded all other
economic systems.
If you can figure how to make a stick into a weapon, then you
are exploiting. If you suck in your gut when a pretty girl
walks by, then you are lying. It's innate -- we all do it.
>that needs to be changed. I believe it is us. We need to shift our values
>away from what I called "emulative and competitive conspicuous consumption"
I agree.
Jay -- http://dieoff.org/page1.htm
