Survival of the Friendliest: Understanding Our Origins and Rediscovering Our Common Humanity

In 1971 schools across the United States were still undergoing considerable upheaval following the end of racial segregation in education. Despite desegregation efforts, minority children often faced substantial challenges, such as long bus rides compared to their white peers. Many white families who could afford private education removed their children from public schools, raising the proportion of economically disadvantaged and minority children in the public system. Classrooms were rife with hostility, impeding learning and leaving educators, parents, and policymakers disheartened.

Carlos, a fifth-grader in Austin, Texas, struggled with English as his second language. His speech impediment made him a target for bullying, leading him to withdraw socially. Despite high expectations for desegregation, the psychologist Elliot Aronson observed that minority students were not on an equal footing with their white peers. White students were better prepared, rested, and equipped, while teachers, often inexperienced in handling diverse classrooms, were overwhelmed. The inherent competition in traditional classrooms further exacerbated the tensions, isolating students like Carlos.

Aronson introduced a novel approach, the “jigsaw” method, to Carlos’s classroom. This method taught parts of a topic to groups of students, who were obliged to collaborate to complete the project. The students realized they depended on each other, fostering a more supportive and inclusive environment. Over time, this approach improved not only academic performance but also social interactions and self-esteem, especially among minority students. Aronson’s jigsaw method demonstrated the power of cooperation in education, with positive results replicated across numerous studies and classrooms.

The concept of “survival of the fittest” often misinterpreted as physical strength and aggression, has permeated societal beliefs and policies. However, true evolutionary fitness, as described by Charles Darwin and modern biologists, is about the ability to survive and reproduce. Cooperation and kindness are key to this survival, as observed by Darwin. Contrary to the popular belief that the strong dominate, research shows that extreme aggression leads to stress and decreased reproductive success.

Examples from nature highlight the benefits of cooperation. Mitochondria, once free-floating bacteria, became vital cellular components through mutualistic relationships. Similarly, human microbiomes are essential for digestion and overall health due to symbiotic partnerships. Social insects like ants form massive colonies that operate as single units, exemplifying the power of cooperative behavior.

Brian Hare notes that, in challenging his students to apply evolutionary theory to solve global problems, he emphasizes the role of friendliness as an advantageous evolutionary strategy. Understanding animals, particularly dogs, offers insights into human behavior and the evolutionary advantages of cooperation. While friendliness enables social and cultural advancements, it also has a dark side, enabling cruelty toward perceived outsiders.

Evolution is not a linear progression toward human perfection. Our lineage, sharing a common ancestor with bonobos and chimpanzees, produced various human species. For most of Homo sapiens’ existence, we coexisted with other human species, such as Homo erectus and Neanderthal, who also had large brains and impressive technological skills. Despite this, these species eventually went extinct while Homo sapiens thrived. The success of Homo sapiens can be attributed to a cognitive superpower: cooperative communication. Unlike chimpanzees, who struggle with shared goals, humans excel at collaboration and innovation through cooperative efforts. This ability to communicate and work together laid the foundation for advanced culture and technology.

The authors propose that this friendliness evolved through self-domestication, a natural selection process favoring cooperative behavior. As humans became more cooperative, they formed larger, better-coordinated groups, outcompeting other human species. However, this same trait allows humans to dehumanize those perceived as threats, leading to extreme cruelty.

The Introduction concludes by reflecting on the current political polarization in the United States, where dehumanizing rhetoric and lack of cooperation have hindered progress. The self-domestication hypothesis serves as a reminder of the importance of expanding our definition of who belongs to foster a more inclusive and thriving society.