Synopsis
An argument, drawn from biology and history, that cooperation rather than competition has been the decisive factor in survival and progress.
Core passage idea
Paraphrase · Public domainAcross species and societies, mutual aid among members has been a stronger driver of survival and flourishing than ruthless individual competition.
It challenges the idea that nature and history justify competitive, hierarchical social orders.
To avoid a bubble
Pair with Thomas Hobbes, Leviathan.
Reading note
Read it as both a scientific argument against social Darwinism and an ethical case for cooperation.
Best paired with
Thomas Hobbes, Leviathan