Few would argue against the positive benefits of altruism. But is altruism only real if it is self-less? Max Krasnow, Associate Professor of Psychology at Harvard University, reveals how human altruism evolved because it was selfish, and how understanding that is the key we need to unlock more altruism in the world. Learn more at http://www.tedxcambridge.com
Max Krasnow is an Associate Professor in the Psychology Department and the director of the Evolutionary Psychology Lab at Harvard University. He studies the design of the cognitive mechanisms that underlie human sociality and how they evolved, using a combination of analytic modeling techniques and standard behavioral experiments to triangulate on answers to these questions. He is interested in advancing the basic science understanding of human social nature, and also in better characterizing the ‘levers’ on that nature that can help tailor public policy to produce better effects. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx