If you believe in survival of the fittest, why on earth would you NOT lie, cheat, steal or kill to succeed in life?
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Putting aside the basic misunderstanding of survival of the fittest, in modern civilisation it's not a great survival ploy to lie, cheat, steal and kill.
You tend to end up in prison and the only type of breeding that you'll get to do in there is unlikely to produce any offspring.
Because we're talking about the human species, dumbknob.
Lying, stealing, killing, committing "adultery" - these do NOT contribute to a "fit" society. We're social animals; we stand or fall together. Behaviours that do not contribute to the fitness of the group are detrimental.
'Survival of the fittest' is a measure of reproductive success, and has nothing to do with physical strength or belligerence. So we should not lie, cheat, steal or kill to succeed in life, rather, we should fuck our brains out.
Because, some of us don't have to lie, cheat or steal to succeed in life. Unlike, say, Kent Hovind....
If you believe you're going to heaven, no matter what you've ever done, as long as you accept the jebus fable, why on earth would you NOT lie, cheat, steal or kill to succeed in life? Many do.
I don't know about anyone else, but only the threat of eternal torture keeps me from going all medieval on y'alls asses and raping, killing and stealing my way to the proverbial top of the food chain. Oh, no...wait a minute. That's not me. That's theists who can't fucking control themselves. I don't do those things because I understand the value of this life (it's the only we gots doncha know) and that we need to try and get along with each other as best we can. Now I remember...
"The fittest" does not refer to the biggest asshole. "The fittest" is the species most likely to survive. Historically, one of humanities greatest assets for survival has been its ability to work together a as group. Those individuals who could not or would not function as a member of a group were pushed out to die alone, without any progeny. Those who could and would function as a member of the group survived and had children with similar traits.
In other words, as far as humans are concerned, "the fittest" may well mean to most agreeable and cooperative individuals, i.e. the ones least inclined to lie, steal or murder.
“If you believe in survival of the fittest,”
I accept that as one part of the theory of evolution, yes. But it’s the fittest gene pool that evolves.
“why on earth would you NOT lie, cheat, steal or kill to succeed in life?”
We’ve evolved as a cooperative species. Through cooperation, we prosper and dominate. it’s not even necessarily a moral choice, it’s enlightened self interest. I try to deal honestly with others so that they’re encouraged to deal honestly with me. And if they don’t, i suspend contact. With care, the meximum number of humans can succeed in life. Which is to the benefit of the gene pool.
Confused?
So were we! You can find all of this, and more, on Fundies Say the Darndest Things!
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