(July 23, 2013 at 5:58 am)genkaus Wrote:(July 23, 2013 at 5:27 am)pocaracas Wrote: Yes, that may seem beneficial for the individual, but imagine a tribe where everyone lives by that manipulating of others.
How long until the tribe breaks apart and its elements become scattered, outcasts and, ultimately, fail to survive.... because we need each other to survive. We are a social species and don't have many natural protections nor weapons.
You don't have to imagine - just take a look at politics. People who are best at manipulating others and getting away with taking what they want seem to prosper the most. And yet, the whole body doesn't break apart because everyone wants it to work.
That's my whole point. We seem to have simply accepted it as a fact that without its members following the golden rule and behaving empathetically, a society would simply tear itself to pieces. And frankly, I'm not buying that.
My example contemplated a society where every (or most) member acted like that.
Your example contemplates that only a small minority acts like that.
I'd say my version requires some imagination, since we don't actually see any society like that.
