Some researchers believe they have found a gene that causes people to be more likely to become dictotorial. Before I pass judgement on this test I want to know more about it but from the article it sounds as though the researhchers do not understand the difference between voluntary behavior and involuntary behavior. I need to know what exactly they mean by "behave selflessly, or like money-grabbing dictators." Participants had to know this was a game in any case. Would they have behaved the same in real life? Do people act in Second Life the same as they would in the real world? Again, I would need to know more about the test to be sure but that is what it sounds like this gene may not have as much of an impact on dictotoral behavior as they think. Article here. http://www.nature.com/news/2008/080404/full/news.2008.738.html
What do you think?
I am an eklektarchist not an anarchist.
Educational Pamphlet Mises Group
I understand what they mean... If I was handed out some money and I was in a group with a few people, I would split it. I would not be able to stay placid (and I guess they conclude those that do are ruthless). And afterall, they deservered it as much as I did (nothing). Maybe I would change my mind if the quantity involved was something worth to bother about. ;P
But human psychic is way more complex than this article puts it. You can very well be ruthless and selfless. I'm pretty sure a lot of the socialist leaders genuinely wanted to help their people, and were only ruthless to those that didn't obey to the masterplan (they mentally rationalized them saying they were jewish, capitalists or whatever so they were inferior or something).
Anyway, it's interesting how they note that since they didn't suggest the participants any course of action, it could just be «a simple lack of social skills, which leaves them unable to sense what's expected of them». So, it doesn't seem like the researchers are that convinced this experiment is of any conclusion, unlike the journalist would like us to believe.
Equality before the law and material equality are not only different but are in conflict with each other; and we can achieve either one or the other, but not both at the same time. -- F. A. Hayek in The Constitution of Liberty
Genesis Biolabs is offering a mail-in test for the "ruthlessness" gene.
www.genesisbiolabs.com
"We are a product not just of our genetics, but of our experiences and our choices. However, one can conceal or misrepresent ones choices and motives, but genetics do not lie. There are numerous situations where knowing if someone has the ruthless or altruistic version of AVPR1a might be useful. Before getting married, or making a business partnership, this genetic test might be appropriate. All of our politicians should probably submit to this test. "
An objective test of whether someone really has only his own interests at heart seems very valuable to me.
What they are claiming is possibly a bit far stretched. Of course their can be genetic disposition for certain behavioral traits, but these are rather temperamental in nature, working via the biochemistry of the human body. Genetics proper is kind of programming the biochemical processes of the human body to be.
To become a "greedy dictator" one will certainly have to have some special character traits. But they seem to come in line with any kind of temparament. There are the more inciting ones as well as the more cool and calculating ones.
Sometimes I wonder if "statist" or "ability to think" is partially genetic. Some people say "Statism is an inherent part of human nature." That certainly isn't true for all humans.
Does that mean there's two sub-species of humans? There are the statists and the free thinkers?
To what extend is statism an inherent characteristic, and to what extent is it learned?
I have my own blog at FSK's Guide to Reality. Let me know if you like it.