The biological paradox of human altruism and extreme violence
In short: Why are humans capable of both profound compassion and brutal cruelty? Neuroscientist Robert Sapolsky explores the biological drivers of our most extreme behaviors by looking at the context surrounding every action.
Sapolsky examines human behavior through the lens of extreme context, analyzing actions across a vast temporal spectrum. His research investigates the biological triggers occurring from just seconds before a behavior to millions of years of evolutionary history.
By looking at these varying timescales, the talk seeks to uncover the underlying biological mechanisms that dictate why we act the way we do, providing a scientific framework for our best and worst traits.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: The biology of our best and worst selves | Robert Sapolsky
- Also: The biology of our best and worst selves
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