Darwinian-Infused Life Rules
5 Life Rules With a Darwinian Twist
The most important points
Life is difficult, there’s no doubt about that. Darwin’s point of view on things can Help us in finding meaning.
Humans are the culmination of thousands of years of evolution. As a result, understanding evolution can Help us in better understanding ourselves.
Hopefully, these five Darwinian-inspired life guidelines will Help to make it all worthwhile in the end.
You’ve probably experienced times when you felt worried for no apparent cause. Or are you dissatisfied with those around you? Or are you dissatisfied with yourself? Or perhaps you’re wondering what the point of it all is.
These are only a few of the questions that permeate the entirety of human existence. These are important concerns for all of us to consider in our lives. Moreover, if you want to comprehend the nature of life in any capacity, I believe that you must take a step back and appreciate Darwin’s concepts as they relate to the experiences that surround our daily existence.
Darwin’s theories of natural selection are, in a sense, relatively straightforward in their formulation. Natural selection, as defined by David Sloan Wilson1, is essentially the idea that aspects of the living world that survive and reproduce are more likely than alternative features to outcompete and outnumber them. Natural selection is frequently regarded as Darwin’s most important concept. The underlying concept here is that humans are a part of the evolved biological world in which they live. Because of this, knowing the evolutionary principles that guide the nature of life at large can throw insight on our everyday experiences. In a nutshell, Darwin’s concepts can Help us in better understanding our daily lives.
Consider the following five life rules, which are strongly anchored in Darwin’s concepts and the research that has followed these ideas for more than a century. While adhering to these guidelines may not always be simple, in general, following guidance that is based on Darwinian principles is equivalent to adhering to the principles of life itself. 2
1. Allow yourself and others to be forgiven.
For lack of a better phrase, to argue that perfection is elusive is to grossly underestimate the situation. Every step along the way, life is loaded with all types of flaws and defects. The inability or unwillingness to accept others’ shortcomings sets the stage for a lack of ability to connect with other people. And if you are unable to find the strength inside yourself to forgive yourself for your flaws, you may be setting yourself up for a lifetime of sorrow, pain, and self-loathing.
Life is, by its very nature, a work in progress. We’re in the same boat. To navigate our complex worlds—particularly our complex social worlds—in a way that allows us to finally accept ourselves and those around us, forgiveness has evolved as a necessary process for humans. 2 Being able to demonstrate forgiveness is just necessary for living a successful life, at least from an evolutionary standpoint.
2. Be a giver of your time.
From an evolutionary standpoint, the fundamental human conflict is between behaviors that benefit ourselves at the expense of others and actions that benefit others at the expense of ourselves3. Humans have evolved to live in small, secure social groups that are supportive of one another. All-out selfish activities have evolved to be costly in such environments, and as a result, they are no longer acceptable. Nature has also chosen against activities that are mindlessly directed toward others throughout our evolutionary past, and this has been true throughout our evolutionary history. From an evolutionary standpoint, it makes sense for a species like ours to give to others while, at the same time, making sure that we don’t give too much that we become perceived as the proverbial doormat to others. The ability to achieve this balance in one’s life is essential for living a fulfilling existence.
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3. Bring something to life.
Humans have developed to engage in a wide range of creative activities, including poetry, sketching, dance, writing, humor, music production, and other forms of expressive expression. There’s a lot more. 4,8 The fact that human creativity can be found everywhere strongly supports the notion that it is a product of our evolutionary background. Creating allows us to stay in touch with other people. It aids us in the resolution of difficulties. It even aids in the attraction of new friends and romantic partners for us. Without a doubt, making time to produce and share your creative products on a consistent basis is essential to enjoying the ideal life.
As a result, I recommend that you take a moment to consider the following two critical questions: How do you know which creative enterprises are a good match for your abilities and interests? And (b) with whom do you want to establish a connection in your world? It is your responses to these questions that will shape the nature of your creative actions in a way that will aid in the development of healthy, uplifting relationships that will Help you in navigating your life.
4. Relationships should take precedence over anything else.
People have evolved to form long-term connections with one another, there is no doubt about that.
5 A vital factor in achieving success in such a situation is the development and maintenance of strong and supportive connections with others.
When it comes to maintaining healthy relationships, there are numerous distractions available in today’s environment, all of which serve to undermine these foundations. We have employment commitments, non-relationship-based hobbies, long-distance travel, TikTok, and other activities on our schedules. The modern world is filled with distractions that can divert our attention and hearts away from our connections with those who are most important to us in our lives. Humans are by nature very sociable beings. Important relationships with people are something that we almost usually neglect, and this is almost often to our own cost.
5. It’s all about love.
Almost too easy, in fact, when John Lennon and Paul McCartney composed their immediate classic “All You Need is Love,”6 the song appeared to them. It is, in a sense, true. However, the theme of this song also goes right to the heart of the human evolved experience in a profound way. Love is, without a doubt, a fundamental component of our evolved psychology. I have seen it reported in a wide variety of cultures, and it has been observed in human brain physiological activity. 7 Love is a real thing. And it is an essential component of living a psychologically healthy existence.
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Don’t rush into love, keeping this in mind. But set aside some time to look for it. Moreover, if and when you do manage to track it down, cherish and nurture it as you would the most exquisite flower that could possibly bloom in your yard.
For those who find themselves in a situation where they must choose between love and money, I would suggest that the evidence on the importance of love is fairly conclusive: go with love. Always choose love over anything else.
The bottom line is as follows:
To be sure, life is difficult. Darwinian perspectives on the human experience, on the other hand, can contribute to making life more gratifying and meaningful. At the end of the day, humans are a part of the living world. And it’s a great thing to witness.
Be forgiving, generous, and creative as you navigate the often hazardous rivers of life, for a variety of reasons that tie to Darwin’s fundamental concepts. Also, be compassionate and loving as you navigate the sometimes treacherous seas of life. This simple collection of guidelines, rooted in Darwinian principles—the most powerful set of concepts that exist regarding the nature of life itself—has the potential to Help you in living a more fulfilling and meaningful life right now, regardless of your age.
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References
Wilson, D. S., et al (2007). What everyone should know about evolution: How Darwin’s theory can alter the way we think about our lives. Delacorte Press, New York, New York.
Silverstein, Jay Elliott. “Redefining Evolution: Life Beyond the Limits of Neo-Darwinian Theory.” (2021).
Geher, G., and Wedberg, N. Geher, G., and Wedberg, N. (2020). “Darwin’s Guide to Living a Richer Life” is a book about positive evolutionary psychology. Oxford University Press is based in New York.
Wilson, D. S., and Wilson, D. S. (2019). This Is How I See Life: Completing the Darwinian Revolution, as it were. The Pantheon is located in New York.
G. F. Miller & Sons, Inc. (2000). His book, The Mating Mind: How Sexual Choice Shaped the Evolution of Human Nature, was published by Heineman in London in 2007.
Kaufman, S. B., and Gregoire, C., eds (2015). Unraveling the mysteries of the creative mind in the book Wired to Create. This is the first edition. Perigee, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC, is based in New York, New York.
