There has been a lot written in recent months by evolutionary psychologists about the development of certain, relatively unique, positive aspects of human behaviour such as altruism and faith.
The theory goes that as humans developed over millions of years we attained certain characteristics that protected us as a species. As a result, these characteristics grew into increasingly prominent and permanent parts of human nature. One example is altruism. This human trait is what led early groups of humans to shield each other from attack by other predators and so ensure the longer term survival of the species, even if it was at the expense of some individuals’ longevity.
Another more recently discussed example is that of faith. The belief in a higher power of one form or another has, the evolutionary psychologists tell us, evolved into the human psyche over millions of years also. This belief, in turn, led to certain frames of morality that subsequently had a positive effect on the survival of our species. Of course, there are those who argue that, in fact, faith has had the opposite effect, given the history of religious strife, tension and war over the ages. That aside, however, the point that is emerging from evolutionary psychology is that positive attributes within us may have arisen by evolution. Does this, though, make them any less valid? Does the fact that faith developed via an evolutionary pathway make a mockery of faith itself? Does all of this call into question the very reality and meaning of love? Are such characteristics merely devices for the propagation of human genes?
To my mind, characteristics such as faith, love, altruism and kindness are essential and concrete parts of who we are. No human is without them. At our centre, we have a core of acceptance and respect for all and this is an energy that propagates the whole Universe – that is why when we really come into touch with it, we know we are part of something much bigger than ourselves as individuals or even as a mere single species. None of this is incompatible with evolutionary psychology theory. Whether these core elements of the self arose via evolution or not, the point is that the Universe has evolved in such a way as to bring them about, so they must indeed be fundamental characteristics of the Universe. In fact, you could go on to argue that, as such, the whole of nature is one giant unfolding personal development course! I jest, of course (kind of).
The truth is that the reality of love is not something you need an evolutionary psychologist or a personal development course to teach you because it’s something you feel every day; you, me, the rest of the human race and beyond...
