Isn't man’s altruism inconsistent with evolution?

Question

The human capacity for altruism—unselfish giving—creates another problem for evolution. As one evolutionist noted: “Anything that has evolved by natural selection should be selfish.” And many humans are selfish, of course. But as he later acknowledged: “It is possible that yet another unique quality of man is a capacity for genuine, disinterested, true altruism. Another scientist added: “Altruism is built into us. Only in humans is it practiced with an awareness of the cost, or sacrifice, that may be involved.

Answer 1

I'm one of those people that think altruism is rare. The selfishness takes over altruism for most of us. This has to do with our inherent selfish tendencies. But it's amazing how altruism can truly make you happy if you cultivate it.



Being altruistic in order to survive is not being truly altruistic, that's called opportunist. therefore, altruism is inconsistent with evolution.

Answer 2

Absolutely not. There is survival value in altruism. Working collectively increases the survival rate of the group. It is perfectly consistent with evolution & natural selection.



The final quote though “Altruism is built into us. Only in humans is it practiced with an awareness of the cost, or sacrifice, that may be involved." is false. Many species display the ultimate altuism when parents risk their lives for their offspring. This does not just occur in humans.

Answer 3

1) Other species besides humans have a capability for altruism and most who do depend upon it to retain a social structure (eg, other primates)



2) Altruism improves survival chances of a group. As it is species that evolve, not individuals it would make sense that a group could develop traights such as cross-individual self-preservation.



3) "Anything that has evolved by natural selection should be selfish"? What about symbiotic relationships? They develop through natural select, as does dependancy on the relation. Such a relationship requires that there be mutual benefit for the host and the parasite. The "quote" is clearly bullsh*t.

Answer 4

Carl Sagan, amazed that the human brain could hold information that “would fill some twenty million volumes,” stated: “The brain is a very big place in a very small space,And what happens in this small space defies human understanding. For example, imagine what must be going on in the brain of a pianist playing a difficult musical composition, with all fingers flying over the keys. What an astonishing sense of movement his brain must have, to order the fingers to strike the right keys at the right time with the right force to match the notes in his head! And if he hits a wrong note, the brain immediately lets him know about it! All this incredibly complex operation has been programmed into his brain by years of practice. But it is made possible only because musical capability was preprogrammed into the human brain from birth.



No animal brain ever conceived such things, much less is able to do them. Nor does any evolutionary theory provide an explanation. Is it not evident that man’s intellectual qualities mirror those of a Supreme Intellect? This harmonizes with Genesis 1:27, which states: “God proceeded to create the man in his image.” The animals were not created in God’s image. That is why they do not have the capabilities man has. Though animals do amazing things by predetermined, rigid instincts, they are no match at all for humans with their flexibility in thinking and acting and their ability to continually build on previous knowledge.



(Psalm 139:14-16) 14 I shall laud you because in a fear-inspiring way I am wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful, As my soul is very well aware. 15 My bones were not hidden from you When I was made in secret, When I was woven in the lowest parts of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw even the embryo of me, And in your book all its parts were down in writing, As regards the days when they were formed And there was not yet one among them.

Answer 5

I disagree. It is a product of our evolution. I think we learned long ago that caring for others keeps ourselves safe. True, we are selfish and that is a part of our origins, but the fact we are human gives us that altruism. Working together is better than working against each other.

Answer 6

No... human evolution worked in groups. A human could not survive on his own AND have viable offspring - so we had to evolve in groups. The more successful groups were our ancestors. And for a group to work, you need a certain level of altruism.

Answer 7

"The human capacity for altruism—unselfish giving—creates another problem for evolution"



No, it doesn't.



Vague claims of unnamed and uncited supposed "evolutionists" notwithstanding, we are selfish creatures but also part of a social species. Mammals got together to gain strength in numbers. Living in groups requires certain social skills.



"“It is possible that yet another unique quality of man"



Assertion, no evidence provided.



"Only in humans is it practiced with an awareness of the cost, or sacrifice, that may be involved."



More baseless assertions.

Answer 8

You really should read "The Selfish Gene". It contains many answers, but especially this one is discussed in detail. Basically, what looks to you like "selfless altruism" is your genes looking after themselves.

Answer 9

altruism is necessary for group survival

Answer 10

No, I would say it is further proof of evolution. We have evolved to a point that things like wild animals and nature are not too much of a concern for us anymore. We are therefore able to evolve to another level of consciousness and concern. It is what has evolved us past most animals.

Answer 11

We are a social species.



Looking out for each other is a pro-survival trait for our type of animal.



The more of us do it, the more of us survive, and pass that trait on.



Thus, so-called "altruism" is, in humans, a RESULT of and a contributor to evolution, not contrary to it.

Answer 12

Not at all -- helping out my peer group tends to encourage them to reciprocate, which in turn helps me out.



Richard Dawkins actually devotes an entire chapter of "The God Delusion" to this matter.

Answer 13

If we didn't evolve... and everyone came from Adam and Eve... why are there so many races? Also how would that not be incest after the first generation of people

Answer 14

NOBODY ON EARTH IS ALTRUISTIC.