The evolutionary lens explains a lot about what it means to be human.
One of the concepts that comes from this discipline is "hyperbolic discounting." Put simply, this "time bias" means we prioritise the immediate present over any potential futures. It means we place more value on a small reward NOW, than we do on a potentially greater reward in the future.
This time bias, coupled with the "hedonic ratchet effect" causes many a human life to go down the wrong path.
This hedonic ratchet effect is a concept that explains whjy we need an ever greater amount of a short-term reward in order to feel the euphoric feeling we seek when seeking said reward.
In other words, we develop a tolerance to a certain amount of the reward in question, and must increase the concentration of our next hit to get the same feeling we used to get from a smaller amount.
Alcohol, and the development of a tolerance over time, is a good example.
These evolved tendencies (taht operate within each and every one of us) help explain why it is we humans are in the ecologiucal predicament we find ourselves in.
They help explain why we value short-term gain and profit, over long-term sustainability.
They help explain why we value the forest more when it is cut and destroyed than we do when it is standing and alive. Timber for sale as wood is more profitable to an individual/company than is a standing forest. Despite the standing forest being more "profitable" in the sense that it facilitates our species continued survival.
But all is not lost!
We can overcome these evolved tendencies in ourselves, and use their motivational power to work towards higher ends. To work towards goals we determine as worthy using our conscious, self-aware, rational minds.
By practicing intra-cranial Realpolitik, we can re-direct the basic limbic impulses we harbour within towards higher purposes.
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00:00 Intro
00:24 Fascinating subject
00:58 Against our better judgement!
01:52 Break free!!
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