The development of civilization has altered our instincts from "summary" of The Human Instinct by Kenneth R. Miller
The transformation of our instincts that has occurred over the course of civilization is a reflection of the profound impact that human culture and society have had on our species. Our ancestors, who lived in small groups of hunter-gatherers, relied heavily on their instincts for survival. These instincts guided their decisions about where to find food, how to avoid predators, and how to interact with members of their group. However, as humans began to settle in larger communities and develop more complex societies, our instincts gradually became less important for our survival. Instead of relying solely on our instincts to navigate the world, we began to rely on cultural norms, laws, and social institutions to guide our behavior. This shift allowed us to adapt to a wider range of environments and situations than our ancestors could have ever imagined. The development of agriculture, the rise of cities, and the spread of literacy and technology all played a role in shaping our instincts in new ways. For example, the ability to read and write has allowed us to store and transmit information across generations, reducing the need for us to rely on our instincts to remember everything we need to know to survive. Similarly, the invention of agriculture has meant that we no longer need to rely on our instincts to find food, as we can now grow and store food in large quantities. As a result of these changes, our instincts have become less about survival and more about social interaction and cultural norms. While we still have many of the same basic instincts as our ancestors, such as the instinct to protect our offspring and to form social bonds with others, these instincts have been shaped and influenced by the development of civilization.- The development of civilization has had a profound impact on our instincts, altering them in ways that have allowed us to thrive in a wide range of environments and situations. Our instincts are no longer solely about survival, but are also shaped by the complex societies and cultures that we have created over thousands of years.
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