Tuesday, November 26, 2002
Science, Religion, Cooperation, and Social Morality
I am always pleased, and inspired, when I come across an article by Mark Bekoff. Earlier, I found myself quoting his wonderful article "Animal play: Lessons in cooperation, fairness, spirit, and soul" Today, from Science, Religion, Cooperation, and Social Morality:
In my own research on social play behavior in animals, I’ve been concerned with the notion of behaving fairly. I’ve observed that, during play, while individuals are having fun in a relatively safe environment, they learn the ground rules for acceptable behavior and social etiquette—how hard they can bite, how roughly they can interact—and how to resolve conflicts. There is a premium on playing fairly and trusting others to do so as well. Codes of social conduct regulate what is permissible, and the existence of these codes speaks to the evolution of social morality and fairness. Individuals might even generalize codes of conduct learned in play to other situations such as sharing food, grooming, or providing care.
During play it is difficult to cheat: Individuals can simply refuse to play with cheaters and choose to play with others. Play doesn’t happen if individuals choose not to engage in the activity. The sort of cooperation and egalitarianism implied by such choices are thought to be preconditions for the evolution of social morality in humans.
In my own research on social play behavior in animals, I’ve been concerned with the notion of behaving fairly. I’ve observed that, during play, while individuals are having fun in a relatively safe environment, they learn the ground rules for acceptable behavior and social etiquette—how hard they can bite, how roughly they can interact—and how to resolve conflicts. There is a premium on playing fairly and trusting others to do so as well. Codes of social conduct regulate what is permissible, and the existence of these codes speaks to the evolution of social morality and fairness. Individuals might even generalize codes of conduct learned in play to other situations such as sharing food, grooming, or providing care.
During play it is difficult to cheat: Individuals can simply refuse to play with cheaters and choose to play with others. Play doesn’t happen if individuals choose not to engage in the activity. The sort of cooperation and egalitarianism implied by such choices are thought to be preconditions for the evolution of social morality in humans.
Labels: playfulness, theory
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