Reciprocal altruism Re: [asa] Random and design

Recent research relevant to the discussion. Full article free on PNAS Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2006 Oct 17;103(42):15623-8. Epub 2006 Oct 9. Related Articles, <!-- var PopUpMenu2_LocalConfig_jsmenu3Config = [ ["ShowCloseIcon","yes"], ["Help","window.open('/entrez/query/static/popup.html','Links_Help','resizable=no,scrollbars=yes,toolbar=no,location=no,directories=no,status=no,menubar=no,copyhistory=no,alwaysRaised=no,depend=no,width=400,height=500');"], ["TitleText"," Links "] ] var jsmenu3Config = [ ["UseLocalConfig","jsmenu3Config","",""] ] //--> <!-- var Menu17030808 = [ ["UseLocalConfig","jsmenu3Config","",""], ["Cited Articles","window.top.location='http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?itool=pubmed_Abstract&db=pubmed&cmd=Display&dopt=pubmed_pubmed_refs&from_uid=17030808'","",""], ["Books","window.top.location='http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?itool=pubmed_Abstract&cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&list_uids=17030808&dopt=Books'","",""], ["LinkOut","window.top.location='http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?itool=pubmed_Abstract&cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&list_uids=17030808&dopt=ExternalLink'","",""] ] //--> Links Human fronto-mesolimbic networks guide decisions about charitable donation. Moll J, Krueger F, Zahn R, Pardini M, de Oliveira-Souza R, Grafman J. Cognitive Neuroscience Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-1440, USA. Humans often sacrifice material benefits to endorse or to oppose societal causes based on moral beliefs. Charitable donation behavior, which has been the target of recent experimental economics studies, is an outstanding contemporary manifestation of this ability. Yet the neural bases of this unique aspect of human altruism, which extends beyond interpersonal interactions, remain obscure. In this article, we use functional magnetic resonance imaging while participants anonymously donated to or opposed real charitable organizations related to major societal causes. We show that the mesolimbic reward system is engaged by donations in the same way as when monetary rewards are obtained. Furthermore, medial orbitofrontal-subgenual and lateral orbitofrontal areas, which also play key roles in more primitive mechanisms of social attachment and aversion, specifically mediate decisions to donate or to oppose societal causes. Remarkably, more anterior sectors of the prefrontal cortex are distinctively recruited when altruistic choices prevail over selfish material interests. ----- Original Message ---- From: Pim van Meurs <pimvanmeurs@yahoo.com> To: donperrett@theology-perspectives.net Cc: ASA Discussions <asa@calvin.edu> Sent: Sunday, November 26, 2006 9:38:14 PM Subject: Re: [asa] Random and design In other words, reciprocal altruism matches the 'love thy neighbor' and 'do unto others' concepts and you argue that it does not match what you believe Christ seems to tell us in Matthew 5. So let's explore reciprocal altruism a bit further. "Reciprocal altruism means helping someone out who needs it, with the understanding that the favor may be returned at some distant, unspecified date in the future, whenever the altruist happens to need it. The return favor may not even come from the original recipient, but someone else entirely. It's just a general practice that promotes group survival. " http://www.huppi.com/kangaroo/L-spectrumone.htm I think the relevant aspect is the 'may be returned at some distant and unspecified date in the future'. In other words, reciprocal altruisms seems to have more in common with Scriptures than you may give credit. Wiki: It would only be expected to evolve in the presence of a mechanism to identify and punish "cheaters" And that's where religion comes into play. God can be a very powerful mechanism that can keep inline potential cheaters. I am not sure what you mean with 'mixing your religion with economics again'. And no, your example is not what is more commonly understood to be reciprocal altruism but rather an example direct exchange. You know you will be paid a certain amount at a certain time. Hope this clarifies. The Golden Rule12 “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets. The ethic of reciprocity or "The Golden Rule" is a fundamental moral principle found in virtually all major religions and cultures, which simply means "treat others as you would like to be treated." It is arguably the most essential basis for the modern concept of human rights. Principal philosophers and religious figures have stated it in different ways: "Love your neighbor as yourself." — Moses (ca. 1525-1405 BCE) in the Torah, Leviticus 19:18"What you do not wish upon yourself, extend not to others." — Confucius (ca. 551–479 BCE)"What is hateful to you, do not to your fellow man." — Hillel (ca. 50 BCE-10 CE)"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." — Jesus (ca. 5 BCE—33 CE) in the Gospels, Luke 6:31; Luke 10:27 (affirming of Moses)— Matthew 7:12"Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you." — Muhammad (c. 571 – 632 CE) in The Farewell Sermon. Don wrote: >So Christ seems to tell us that even if we have nothing to gain from it, we should love our enemies. This goes against the very grain of the >first paragraph in the Wiki page on Reciprocal Altruism. Are you sure that you're not mixing your religion with economics again? I go to work >and in exchange I expect a paycheck. That is "reciprocal altruism". Don Perrett

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Received on Mon Nov 27 00:55:05 2006