Proof!
So I read this article in Al Jazeera about how there is biological proof of morality and empathy, or kindness, in not only humans but many animals. The argument is based in the idea that insofar as we need each other in order to survive on one level or another, empathy and kindness are naturally conducive to our longevity (Darwin even gets a word in). As someone who works with preschoolers and has lots of experience with people with developmental disabilities, i.e. works with humans who often have little to no self-regulation and are in the ID-zone (tee hee), experience on every level supports and has always pretty much supported this theory. It's nice to have scientists on our side, though. The Republic also came to mind while reading, funnily enough, just insofar as the discussion of natural justice goes. If there is implicit kindness or morality in all beings, than how does natural justice tie into those concepts when social structures take such a thing into account? Would Socrates have finished the conversation without having to call upon mythos? Or maybe this is the modern mythos. Funny how unless I'm engaged in a conversation, these days the questions go about as far as my present experience. Right now I work with kids and while kids don't generally like to admit that sharing is the most diplomatic way to continue a pleasant social interaction, it's clear that when the idea of kindness is introduced most kids are more than happy to participate in favor of the greater good and greater games. That leaves me more than content with the nature of things.