Is Kindness the Key to Survival?

When Darwin wrote his great work, The Theory of Evolution, he put the idea of “survival of the fittest” into the forefront of the common consciousness. According to Darwin’s theory, only those that were the best equipped physically and mentally would win (i.e., survive the trials of daily life to reproduce efficiently), thereby directing the path of future generations.

Selfishness for Survival?

Many subsequent interpretations of Darwin’s idea of natural selection have interpreted his ideas as being an excuse, or at the very least, an explanation for, man’s (seemingly inherent) selfishness. But the long-lived concept of “every man for himself” may have shaken to its core, after scientists found evidence that human evolution has in fact taken in part the form of emotional advancements, which made us as individuals more prone to practice kindness and compassion.

Kindness is the Key

Recent studies conducted by the University of California, Berkeley, seem to indicate that kindness is in fact a key tool necessary for the survival of the human race and one that is possibly hard wired into most individuals, possibly even originating at a genetic level.

Berkeley Psychologist Dacher Keltner explained: “Because of our very vulnerable offspring, the fundamental task for human survival and gene replication is to take care of others. Human beings have survived as a species because we have evolved the capacities to care for those in need and to cooperate to ensure survival. As Darwin long ago surmised, sympathy is our strongest instinct.”

The Empathy Gene

As part of UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center’s research into this phenomenon, which they have labeled “Survival of the Kindest”, a study was performed which examined our genetic predisposition to empathy. The study, led by students Laura Saslow and Sarina Rodrigues, found evidence that our genes govern the human capability for compassion. Their results showed that participants with a specific gene receptor were better at judging the emotions of others and were more prone to emanate empathetic responses in stressful situations. Rodrigues explained that the study appeared to indicate that our capacity for empathy could in fact be traced to the existence of a single gene.

Kindness its Own Reward

Other studies conducted by the Center have revealed that kindness seems to truly be its own reward, with those who displayed generosity and understanding reaping the rewards in terms of reciprocal acts of kindness from their peers. Dacher Keltner concluded: “This new science of altruism and the physiological underpinnings of compassion is finally catching up with Darwin’s observations nearly 130 years ago, that sympathy is our strongest instinct”.

UltraFitnessDynamics