We evolved as a species by co-operation rather than through the a crude interpretation of social Darwinism. Survival meant that the group effort contributed to hunting successfully and sharing the kill.
Co-operation is the essential pre-requisite of productivity. A sense of morality would have come into play when the spoils were subsequently distributed, and the concept of 'sharing' would have arisen. If there were disputes and confrontation further co-operation would result in a lack of shared reward.
Co-operation is a survival mechanism, and the most useful way of ensuring a supply of the essentials for the continuation of life. Where resources are scarce, competition is an absurdity, for in this system, the stronger, more assertive and cunning will start to accrue a greater share of the outcome of group effort.
Co-operation is only meaningful if there is an equitable sharing of productivity. But the question arises as to why should ‘sharing’ be the only way to organise society. Shouldn’t the strong, powerful, and resourceful have a greater proportion of what is produced? It is just the way that social Darwinism will operate, and an imbalance of organisms will result.
This is when an inbuilt morality kicks in. What is the common feature of all of us? It is simple question that is frequently forgotten. We may be white, black, brown, woman and man, able or disabled, old or infants, have different sexual preferences, come from different cultures countries, and speak a thousand different languages. Each one of us is different, but one thing unites us; our humanity. We are humans before we are subsumed in the categories outlined above.
As humans therefore we have a duty to our fellow beings as the primary fact of our existence. It is by this ability to transfer your mindset to another’s needs, rights, aspirations and behaviour, that we can hope to create a successful society, a new world of co-operation, tolerance, fairness, and respect. It will be instructive to study Martin Buber’s “I and thou”. If we look at this dispassionately aren’t we all after the means to live fruitful lives in freedom, develop our abilities and perhaps most importantly love.
As humans we have an undying imperative to imagine a better world. I don’t advocate any allegiance to authority figures or heroes, specific political structures or ideological systems. If anything I am a citizen of the world and I can only intuit what defines our humanity by what I feel is right, fair, rational and live to seek the truth and work towards its precepts. The best of luck in ‘Nowhereisland’ I may be accused of naivety in this blog, but it is human to hope as well. Love to the deamers, idealists and utopians who want a better world.
