| Are We Born With a Sense of Fairness? |
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| ALAN HONICK with GORDON ORIANS - Pacific Standard |
| Does fairness come standard with every newborn, or is it something that we (hopefully) develop as we mature? Here’s a multimedia attempt to answer that question. Evolutionary biologist Gordon Orians and I are working on a project to investigate the origins and evolution of the human sense of fairness, and the role it plays in modern social, economic, and political institutions. I recently gave a talk on the subject. To begin the talk, I asked the audience members to recollect their first encounter with the concept of fairness. I had formed a fledgling hypothesis, and wanted to put it to the test. As people raised their hands, I called on them to share their memories. A pattern quickly emerged: 'I had to take the rap for something my sister actually did!†'My parents gave my brother a puppy, ... |
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Comments: 12
My first recollection of having to deal with fairness was when as a child, I spent 5 years as the middle child. Five years of being mostly ignored, then my parents had another son, then 5 years later, another son, so that my sister then became the middle child and I watched her becoming the mostly ignored child. So my sense of fairness started out as "fair to me" then ten years later became "fair in general".. To compensate, I started to pay a lot of attention to her and became her favorite brother.
I don't believe we are actually born with a true sense of fairness, but instead, a little self-centered. Our experiences and choices are what causes a development of a sence of fairness.
I'll go watch that video now and see if we agree :-D
The video has not convinced me to change my view. Their staring longer at the unfair outcomes is merely an expression of their not expecting unequal treatment. The showed no sign of being upset with it. Over time, witnessing unequal treatment can teach prejudice.
"That's how I was brought up" is a cop out. Upbringing does not rob anyone of his or her free will. Regardless of upbringing, hate is still a choice one makes using free will; don't blame your parents.