By MAN WITH STICK
Added: Thu, 10 Jun 2010 11:27:54 UTC

Hello, right i'm not a scientist but enjoy reading popular science books...etc Just come across a theory of intelligence called Machiavellian intelligence theory, which if i understand correctly is that social primates gain ascendance in a community by socially 'out manoeuvring' or 'out-thinking' one another. i.e. i'll buddy up with the strongest, fastest, most fertile...etc and i will receive a benefit by association. I believe what the argument pushes for is that 'social/transactional reasoning' was a major driving factor in human/primate evolution - i.e. the ability to calculate social interactions (which as we know are far more difficult to 'calculate' than say a simple cause and effect relationship) rather than purely just being naturally strong, quick or good looking.

The up shot of this being that we are evolutionarily pre-disposed towards social reasoning rather than critical reasoning, I.e. If i do something the world/universe will respond in some way to me (as if you were in dialogue). The theory hints at possible explanations towards religious, moral reasoning and extends to a lot of areas where logical fallacies occur - if i pray the universe/god will respond, if i'm good/bad i will be judged so, sacrifices to appease gods, why do bad things happen to good people, gambling addiction - if i keep loosing my odds of winning increase (as if the previous games 'remember' the fact you lost)...etc

I like the theory but my question is do we know how much of a driving force social intelligence was in the evolution of early primates/humans?

TAGGED: CRITICAL THINKING, EVOLUTION, RELIGION