[Nebullis]

Note to libertarians: cooperation, not just self-interest is hardwired.

[FastCoyote]

"Note to libertarians: cooperation, not just self-interest is hardwired."

What kind of moronic statement is that? If both self interest AND cooperation are hard wired, then won't libertarians be eminently able to balance cooperative interests and self-interests? The much feared libertarian anarchy (that conservatives so fear) would thus be exposed as a paper tiger by this experiment.

Ann Coulter should have written her book Slander about conservatives. Unable to come up with rational arguments against libertarian ideas, they either make things up or start name calling.

[ThePythonicCow]

Ah good - we've found the basis for the Golden Rule in some neurons on our brain that give us pleasure when we cooperate.

How nihilistic can you get?

Whatever became of Right and Wrong, Good and Evil, and other divine moral direction? This article seems unable to see past the little blurps on a CAT scan.

[Nebullis]

Objectivists libertarians tend to believe that a benefit to the individuals derives solely from actions or laws that benefit individuals directly, where conservatives tend to believe that actions or laws benefiting the larger group in addition to such for the individual result in increased benefit for the individual. This study appears to provide support for the conservative viewpoint.

As someone knowledgeable in these areas, what is your take on this article?

[apochromat]

A barf alert is too much to ask for, I suppose.

[Willie Green]

Note to libertarians: cooperation, not just self-interest is hardwired.

Which leads to the conclusion that libertarian brains are short-circuited.

[Ahban]

It may be biologically imbedded but even if so, that does not offer any hope of resolution to the issue of how it could have evolved. The first poor sucker to develop such traits would be taken advantage of by the clinical sociopaths all around them.

[apochromat]

It may help us define why wars are fought and loves are lost.

... and then, they'll fix it! Just a little neural ablation here and there, and presto!

[apochromat]

I hear that a strategy of tit-for-tat, with an eventual well-timed self-sacrifice as an attempt to shake out of the tit-for-tat rut, is the most rewarding way to go, assuming a normal co-player.

The term "social", with all its connotations, is being used in the article, when "group" is more precise.