The Noble Savage? | Myth or Reality?

#economics #psychology #history

Capitalism is criticized by the idea of the noble savage. Many think it’s a biological phenomenon that humans cooperate or some sort of mystic harmony. Families cohabiting are not the result of an instinct. It’s the result of thinking, planning, and acting. Animals don’t cooperate outside of their own group. Only humans cooperate and live in families. This is the result of rational deliberation.

Even relatively recently, human societies were characterized by a mutual dislike for one another. It was ideas that gave man a sense of belonging and allowed for cooperation. There is no instinct to truck and barter, as Adam Smith thought. There is a dislike that continues to this day, but less so than previous generations. It’s impossible that people will love—or even like—everyone, but that doesn’t invalidate cooperation.

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