Mind Reading 2.0: Our Better Angels

Community Policies

Community-oriented policies emphasize the integration of social cooperation and community values into their framework. Samuel Bowles argues that the pandemic has highlighted the need for a shift away from individualism and self-interest, towards a reliance on community and civil society 1. He believes that while markets and governments are essential, they should be complemented by community-driven initiatives that foster trust and cooperation. Bowles notes, "People aren't entirely selfish. We actually care a lot about others," suggesting that policies should harness this inherent social goodwill 1.

   

Economic Shifts

Economic paradigm shifts are focusing more on cooperation rather than competition. Shankar Vedantam and Bowles discuss how the traditional view of rational behavior as inherently selfish is pervasive in both economics and popular culture 2. Bowles shares a personal anecdote about how introducing monetary incentives for his children to do chores backfired, as it undermined their intrinsic motivation 3. He reflects, "I made the mistake that Adam Smith never made, which is to treat the moral sentiments... as if they're somehow separate from... material interests and money" 3.