Why We Conform

Julia Fischer

doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.1000277

Abstract

Are humans fundamentally helpful, or does coercion inevitably come with altruism? Julia Fischer examines this question in her review of Michael Tomasello's new book, Why We Cooperate.

Highlights

What makes us human, what sets us apart from other animal species, and which traits do we share with our closest living relatives? Ever since Darwin introduced the notion of continuity in his theory of evolution, humans have been obsessed with the question of how to distinguish themselves from all other species
In his book Why We Cooperate, Michael Tomasello explores the socio-cognitive mindset that forms the basis of human sociality, including the creation of cultural artifacts and social institutions
The key message is that humans are fundamentally helpful and cooperative, as evidenced by infants’ willingness to provide information, help, and share worldly goods. Experience may corrupt this benevolent attitude, but the core point for Tomasello is that children exhibit otherregarding preferences, and it is precisely this feature that sets them apart from our closest living relatives, the great apes

Summary

Introduction

What sets us apart from other animal species, and which traits do we share with our closest living relatives? Ever since Darwin introduced the notion of continuity in his theory of evolution, humans have been obsessed with the question of how to distinguish themselves from all other species. In his book Why We Cooperate, Michael Tomasello explores the socio-cognitive mindset that forms the basis of human sociality, including the creation of cultural artifacts and social institutions.

Results

Conclusion