Human nature is where material conditions and social values intersect. A society that places mutual responsibility and collective wellbeing over wealth and status would likely regard greed, domination, and hedonism as character flaws rather than virtues. Those who exploit others for personal gain would be held with the same contempt as other kinds of antisocial behavior. In short, self-serving opportunists would be seen as criminals rather than as being especially clever or successful. The traits a culture rewards are the traits it reproduces.

The common belief that human beings are naturally selfish and chaotic says more about our own values than it does about human psychology. In reality, the overwhelming majority of people are deeply prosocial; we seek belonging, reciprocity, and meaningful community. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, we have an opportunity to outgrow the tribalism and rigid hierarchies that has characterized our species’ infancy, and foster cultures that reward cooperation instead of competition as the highest expression of human nature.