Biologists have long been fascinated with the interactions between animals, both inter- and intra-species relations, studying everything from parasitisms to mutalisms, sexual selection to family groups to true eusociality. Yet the one constant that remains through the vast amounts of diversity when you get to the root of all actions is selfishness. Every action that every organism willingly performs benefits the actor in some way, otherwise it would be selected out. Every organism, that is, except for humans. We humans have found a way to defy natural selection (wouldn’t Darwin be disgusted?) through acts of compassion.
There is evidence that as early as six million years ago, human ancestors began displaying the first hints of empathy. An article published in Nature titled A Possible Case of Hypervitaminosis A in "Homo erectus" implies that even Homo erectus displayed feelings of compassion by feeding, protecting and caring for a woman who developed a paralyzingly painful condition. DiscoveryNews published an article a year-and-a-half ago that outlines the proposed evolutionary model for the development of human compassion. This is hugely exciting! As far as I can tell, Homo sapiens is the only extant species that forms such strong bonds of friendship and even cares about the general well-being of total strangers. Chimpanzees, our closest living relative, certainly do not exhibit the same kindness. Jane Goodall recounts in her reports the fate of an older male chimp named McGregor who suffered from polio. The paralyzed chimp was shunned, attacked on multiple occasions, and excluded from social activities despite efforts to join.
Perhaps some would consider compassion a frail trait, seeing as how it is only present in one species. They may even say it is maladaptive – after all, it tends to lower fitness. But I say we humans thrive on compassion. It may not be personally beneficial, but it benefits the species as a whole. No other species is capable of such a global perspective. So next time you hear someone talk about ‘losing their faith in humanity’, just remember that compassion has been around for millions of years. I don’t think it’s going anywhere any time soon.
-Elizabeth Richardson
Can we say, though, that compassion is a dominant feature in our species? I think we are compassionate as long as our compassionate actions either help us or keep us "neutral." Very few, including myself, would be compassionate at the detriment of ourselves or our families. Does compassion always have to be "maladaptive"?
ReplyDeleteAs long as we are a society, I think there is some inherent thought process of the community over the self. For example, I think many people would sacrifice their lives to save a town of people. This action is contrary to personal gain but a compassionate action for the betterment of society.
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