In the animal kingdom species survive through natural selection, meaning they must adapt and pass upon the information to next generations to ensure the survival of a species. Humans, like all organisms, have complex mental modules that evolved to keep the genes from extinction. This concept is explored in Keith E. Stanovich book, The Robot's Rebellion: Finding Meaning in the Age of Darwin. Stanovich refers to the concept that humans are merely robots created by our genes to protect them and to promote their survival. He expands on the universal Darwinian view of human psychology, that humans are vehicles for self-replicating genes and self-replicating memes, acting upon their own interests to replicate themselves rather than in their human hosts’ interests.
Stanovich explains the fact that the evolution is programmed into our brains, much like how a robot is coded. Within humans are two minds in one Brain. One is called; The Autonomous Set of Systems: short leased genetic goals that are relatively stable. This system evolved much earlier in evolutionary history than did the second mind. While the system, the analytic control system, it draws upon rationality to help us fulfill our goal as humans. The analytic system is the key to our rebellion. It allows us to recognize TASS prompted behavior and conduct self-evaluations. Through reflection, TASS can be overruled and instead humans can behave in a way which is beneficial for the ‘host’, not the genes. We are robots in the sense that large parts of our behavior are controlled by these Darwinian 'modules' that have been survived through natural selection in order to take care of our genes. Usually, TASS serves the interests of our gene's, not of humans, with the sole purpose to replicate. Unlike other species within the animal kingdom, humans have the ability to become aware of their robotic programming and can choose to override it through higher level rationality through the help of. This rebellion is what Stanovich refers to when he states the Robots rebellion. An example touched upon in the book Riveted by Jim Davis is the way humans react to prepackaged cupcakes. The new part, or analytical control system, realizes that the prepackaged cupcakes have no beneficial value for our health. However, the old brain, or TASS, creates the human impulse that you should eat many. This originates from our ancestors. The old brain, TASS, is programmed to optimize on sugar and fat, believing they are scarce and should always be eaten when the opportunity arises. Sugar and fat are a source of energy intake, which made sense in our ancestors' environment but which is no longer relevant present day. This creates internal mental conflicts the pulling between TASS and analytical system. …show more content…
The analytical system thinks more logically, in a step-by-step way. TASS is not deliberative; it is intuitive. It is important to remember to ensure that when going against TASS the reason is beneficial for the ‘host’ and that they are not the result of successful memes. As Stanovich puts it, Memes, just like genes, can also make us behave in a way that benefits their reproduction. The term 'meme', was created by Dawkins. Memes are pieces of cultural information. They are considered cultural replicators while in contrast genes are biological replicators, and transmission to as many individuals as possible is a meme's first and foremost goal. Memes have a main focus for their propagation than for Humans. So although at times Humans have to establish their interests and goals to pursue, in contrast to their genes, The goals may not necessarily be good for them. Such as an alcoholic may want to drink, but that is not what is best for them. The capacity to overrule TASS is a process of higher-order rational reflection of our own personal desires and is the reason behind humans ability to successful rebel. The Robot’s Rebellion was essential to cope with the complexity of environmental challenges. Without this ability, humans could not rationally evaluate their personal desires, or determine what is best for them personally. Humans would be at the mercy of what was the desired interest of their genes. TASS-prompted behavior tends to lead to suboptimal results, and when subjected to various tests of rationality, humans often exhibit irrational behavior. According to Stanovich,
Stanovich explains the fact that the evolution is programmed into our brains, much like how a robot is coded. Within humans are two minds in one Brain. One is called; The Autonomous Set of Systems: short leased genetic goals that are relatively stable. This system evolved much earlier in evolutionary history than did the second mind. While the system, the analytic control system, it draws upon rationality to help us fulfill our goal as humans. The analytic system is the key to our rebellion. It allows us to recognize TASS prompted behavior and conduct self-evaluations. Through reflection, TASS can be overruled and instead humans can behave in a way which is beneficial for the ‘host’, not the genes. We are robots in the sense that large parts of our behavior are controlled by these Darwinian 'modules' that have been survived through natural selection in order to take care of our genes. Usually, TASS serves the interests of our gene's, not of humans, with the sole purpose to replicate. Unlike other species within the animal kingdom, humans have the ability to become aware of their robotic programming and can choose to override it through higher level rationality through the help of. This rebellion is what Stanovich refers to when he states the Robots rebellion. An example touched upon in the book Riveted by Jim Davis is the way humans react to prepackaged cupcakes. The new part, or analytical control system, realizes that the prepackaged cupcakes have no beneficial value for our health. However, the old brain, or TASS, creates the human impulse that you should eat many. This originates from our ancestors. The old brain, TASS, is programmed to optimize on sugar and fat, believing they are scarce and should always be eaten when the opportunity arises. Sugar and fat are a source of energy intake, which made sense in our ancestors' environment but which is no longer relevant present day. This creates internal mental conflicts the pulling between TASS and analytical system. …show more content…
The analytical system thinks more logically, in a step-by-step way. TASS is not deliberative; it is intuitive. It is important to remember to ensure that when going against TASS the reason is beneficial for the ‘host’ and that they are not the result of successful memes. As Stanovich puts it, Memes, just like genes, can also make us behave in a way that benefits their reproduction. The term 'meme', was created by Dawkins. Memes are pieces of cultural information. They are considered cultural replicators while in contrast genes are biological replicators, and transmission to as many individuals as possible is a meme's first and foremost goal. Memes have a main focus for their propagation than for Humans. So although at times Humans have to establish their interests and goals to pursue, in contrast to their genes, The goals may not necessarily be good for them. Such as an alcoholic may want to drink, but that is not what is best for them. The capacity to overrule TASS is a process of higher-order rational reflection of our own personal desires and is the reason behind humans ability to successful rebel. The Robot’s Rebellion was essential to cope with the complexity of environmental challenges. Without this ability, humans could not rationally evaluate their personal desires, or determine what is best for them personally. Humans would be at the mercy of what was the desired interest of their genes. TASS-prompted behavior tends to lead to suboptimal results, and when subjected to various tests of rationality, humans often exhibit irrational behavior. According to Stanovich,