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DISCRIMINATING ALTRUISMS
Author(s) -
Hardin Garrett
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
zygon®
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.222
H-Index - 23
eISSN - 1467-9744
pISSN - 0591-2385
DOI - 10.1111/j.1467-9744.1982.tb00477.x
Subject(s) - ethical egoism , universalism , altruism (biology) , patriotism , tribalism , individualism , positive economics , epistemology , social psychology , sociology , political science , philosophy , law , psychology , economics , politics
. Reliable Darwinian theory shows that pure altruism cannot persist and expand over time. All higher organisms show inheritable patterns of caring and discrimination. The principal forms of discriminating altruisms among human beings are individualism (different from egoism), familialism, cronyism, tribalism, and patriotism. The promiscuous altruism called “universalism” cannot endure in the face of inescapable competition. Information can be promiscuously shared, but not so matter and energy without evoking the tragedy of the commons. Universalism is not recommendable even as an ideal. Survival now requires the creation of an intellectual base for a new patriotism.