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Molecula Morală: Sursa Iubirii şi A Prosperităţii (2012)

by Paul J. Zak(Favorite Author)

3.76 of 5 Votes: 2

languge

English

genre

Nonfiction

publisher

Humanitas

review 1: This is an excellent book. It is easy to read and understand. It helps to understand the research that Dr. Paul Zak has done on Oxytocin, a chemical that is in our blood and affects our behavior. He demonstrates how a surge in this chemical affects how we trust others. He states that something as simple as a hug increases ones feeling of happiness, love, and trust. It not only increases the trust between individuals, but can increase trust between different "tribes" and different nations.Makes me think that all Congressional sessions should begin, not with prayer by a chaplain, but by all people who are "across the aisle" crossing the aisle to give hugs to those on the other side. I think if you hugged someone and if you have gotten your hit of Oxytocin, it might go f... morear in changing the political climate in Washington. Hey, it might work and it doesn't increase our taxes one cent.
review 2: Zak pits two body chemicals against each other. Oxytocin brings people together by promoting good feelings and generating trust. Testosterone promotes aggression and wariness, and assertion of self-interest. It is oxytocin's "evil twin." The higher the testosterone level, the more the oxytocin response is blocked, "producing a damping effect on being caring and feeling." These two chemicals, Zak writes, dance through our social interactions "between cooperation and competition, benevolence and hostility, [and] maybe even what we call good and evil." It would be interesting to know whether other experts in body chemistry see oxytocin and testosterone in the same way. Taking his argument at face value, there are two significant implications that Zak interestingly does not develop. First, the presence of these chemicals in varying degrees would seem to largely explain the basis for the two dominant modes of behavior identifed by historians and philosophers. In one corner are the other-oriented, nurturers who are the models of good, social behavior; in the other corner are the overly self-oriented individuals who act on behalf of the self at the expense of the other if need be. While Zak's discussion suggests a biological basis for these behaviors, he also acknowledges that trauma or ordinary frustration contribute significantly to "oxytocin deficit disorder." Nevertheless, presuming that there are varying degrees of these chemicals (genetically) within individuals, Zak's discussion strongly hints at a biological basis for individual character, temperament and disposition. Zak sees a predominance of socially-oriented behavior under "stable and safe circumstances." This premise warrants further explanation. If one is overly self-oriented (infused with testesterone), what is the motivation to be "moral" in the way that Zak articulates? Also, while oxytocin might work well to form strong group bonds, its "evil twin" may also form the basis for suspicion, distrust and hostility toward those who are outside our group, and form the basis for tribalism.Zak applies his theory to the marketplace. He argues that trade makes people more moral because there's an "exchange of favors" that creates a mutual dependence. Here he brings in Adam Smith's argument that the pursuit of self-interest in a marketplace promotes the interest of all and creates "a virtuous cycle." That's good in theory, but it's hard to match up with his criticism of "rational self-interest" that he he says impairs empathy and moral judgement. The pursuit of self-interest in the marketplace is likely infused with the testosterone-laden aggression to take as much as one can get if one can get away with it. At some point, it's easy to see how the virtuous cycle unravels, and how unequal benefit creates even greater unequal benefit under "the winner take all" mentality that Zak rightly criticizes. Zak says that oxytocin allows for reciprocity and goes so far as to say that it provides the biological basis for the golden rule. That claim is loaded with implications. If each of us pursues our respective self-interest, then, practically, there are two types of behaviors that result. The first is that we respect the interest of each as the price of social life. That respect can happen (a) organically, because of oxytocin-induced behavior; (b) when we are forced to respect others because our self-interest depends on deferring to the group in key respects (a mixture of oxytocin because we want the group and testosterone because we want to pursue our self-interest); and (c) when, as a principle for behavior, we recognize that we must respect the interest of others if we are to satisfy our own interest (the same mixture of oxytocin and testosterone, framed as a principled hypothetical imperative). All of these are chemically-based variants of the golden rule. The second is that we toss the golden rule aside and seek to assert our self interest over others if need be because we are heavily testosterone-driven. As a result, those on the receiving end must rebel to defend their interest and society must employ counterforce to keep overly aggressive self-interested behavior in check.In the middle of these poles of behavior lies the marketplace that Zak discusses where the matter of utility (mutual benefit) operates. In the marketplace, there's an uneasy tension between these two chemicals. If oxytocin is sufficiently present, traders and customers respect certain rules of operation because they are infused with friendship, loyalty and respect. If there's too much testosterone, these rules of operation are fragile because loyalty and friendship are based more or less on strict utility. less

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