Proximate causes

Dwarkesh Patel and Robin Hanson discuss the concept of proximate causes in their conversations on "The Lunar Society."

In the episode titled "The Long View and The Elephant in the Brain," Robin Hanson explains that proximate causes are the immediate thoughts and ideas that come to mind just before making a choice, reflecting the conscious processes occurring right before an action. These causes are contrasted with distal causes, which are the fundamental, underlying forces driving choices from a broader perspective. Hanson suggests that while proximate causes are complex and context-dependent, understanding the distal causes can provide a more robust understanding of why decisions are made 1.

Additionally, they explore how people's behavior, including parents' actions towards their children, can often be driven by self-interest disguised under seemingly altruistic motives. For instance, parents may push their children to learn instruments to enhance their own social status rather than solely for the child's benefit 2.