The Biological Roots of Human Nature

Csanyi, Vilmos

One of the central questions of biology is its evolutionary origin. This lecture briefly overviews the history of the development of the human species and the evolutionary and genetic links with our closest relatives. It goes on to analyse the three components of the human behavioural complex unique to our race: behavioural patterns related to group life, adaptation to group activities and constructive activities.
We come to understand that the constructive ability is a biological quality particular to humans, which manifests itself not only in speech, in creating objects or in abstract thinking but also in the development of social structures. The structure of human groups, norms and rules governing the life of groups are all derived from the human constructive ability.
The most important element, in contrast to animals, is man's readiness to act in the interest of the group regardless of the negative impact on his own individual and genetic interests. In other words, he is able to subordinate his own interests to those of the group.

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