sense of fairness and a tendency to cooperate, even when it goes against their rational self-interest.
An article in the leading journal Science, entitled ‘The Evolution
of the Golden Rule’, reviews competing theories of how evolutionary forces
might have shaped cooperation and altruistic tendencies, in a ‘survival of
the fittest’ environment.
It seems that large-scale cooperation—e.g. constructing transport networks
or sending robots to Mars—only works where a system of rewards (for cooperation)
and punishments (for unfairness) is in place.
Several evolutionary biologists argue
that such systems might be deeply ingrained in our brains—an ‘evolutionary
underpinning of morality’.
But, as the article notes, with so many cooperative tendencies built into our brains,
why isn’t there more harmony in the world?"
CMI
1) As to why there's a built-in sense of fairness-- Even Gentiles, who do not have God’s written law, show that they know His law when they instinctively obey it, even without having heard it. They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their
own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are
doing right. Romans 2:14,15 NLT
2) As to why there isn't more harmony in the world - The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? Jeremiah 17:9