Summary and main points of the article “Survival of the Nicest”:
The article discusses the idea that Darwin’s theories were misinterpreted by industrialists like Andrew Carnegie, who believed that fierce competition and inequality were justified in the corporate economy. However, the article argues that Darwin’s ideas actually emphasized traits like sharing and compassion as factors that contributed to human survival and success.
The article highlights research by Michael Tomasello, an American psychologist, who developed an evolutionary theory of human cooperation. Tomasello suggests that two key steps in human evolution led to our unique form of interdependence. First, approximately two million years ago, Homo habilis emerged and began scavenging carcasses of large mammals. This survival strategy required cooperation, leading to social selection that favored collaborative behavior.
The second step was the development of uniquely large population sizes and the evolution of shared cultural identity among humans. This collective intentionality at the level of entire societies promoted trust, collaboration, and cooperation among members of the group.
The article argues that modern corporate workplaces may not align with our evolutionary roots and can lead to worker alienation and dissatisfaction. In contrast, worker-owned cooperatives are more in line with our evolutionary heritage, promoting shared identity, trust, and collaboration among members. The article suggests that as worker-owned cooperatives gain prominence, we may witness a return to collaborative environments that better align with human evolutionary history.
Overall, the article advocates for a shift towards more cooperative and community-focused economic models as a way to create a better and more sustainable society.
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