Survival of the Nicest: How Altruism Made Us Human and Why It Pays to Get Along

by Stefan Klein, David Dollenmayer (Translator)

Award-winning, international bestselling science writer Stefan Klein explores the benefits of altruism on humanity in Survival of the Nicest.The phrase “survival of the fittest” conjures an image of the most cutthroat individuals rising to the top. But Stefan Klein, author of The Science of Happiness, makes the startling assertion that altruism is the key to lasting personal and societal success. In fact, altruism defines Natural selection favored those early humans who cooperated in groups, and with survival more assured, our altruistic ancestors were free to devote brainpower to developing intelligence, language, and culture—our very humanity. Klein’s groundbreaking findings lead him to a vexing If we’re really hard-wired to act for one another’s benefit, why aren’t we all getting along? He believes we’ve learned to mistrust our instincts because success is so often attributed to selfish ambition, and with an extraordinary array of material—current research on genetics and the brain, economics, social psychology, behavioral and anthropological experiments, history, and modern culture—he makes the case that generosity for its own sake remains the best way to thrive.“Stefan Klein, an enticing storyteller, marshals the evidence for the value of altruism—not only to one’s family but, much more interestingly, to one’s self and one’s tribe. Altruism is truly contagious!” —Roald Hoffman, Nobel Laureate“A scholarly tour de force about why generosity makes good sense, Survival of the Nicest is also compulsively readable. Klein argues convincingly that helping others is one of the best things we can do for ourselves.” —Elizabeth Svoboda, author of What Makes a Hero?: The Surprising Science of Selflessness

Genres: Nonfiction, Psychology, Science, Sociology, History, Business, Anthropology

274 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2010

About the author

Dr. Stefan Klein, geboren 1965 in München, ist Physiker, Philosoph und der erfolgreichste Wissenschaftsautor deutscher Sprache.

Er studierte Physik und analytische Philosophie in München, Grenoble und Freiburg, promovierte und forschte auf dem Gebiet der theoretischen Biophysik. Er wandte sich dem Schreiben zu, weil er "die Menschen begeistern wollte für eine Wirklichkeit, die aufregender ist als jeder Krimi“.

Sein Buch „Die Glücksformel“ (2002) stand über ein Jahr auf allen deutschen Bestsellerlisten und machte den Autor auch international bekannt. In den folgenden Jahren erschienen die hoch gelobten Bestseller „Alles Zufall“,, „Zeit", "Da Vincis Vermächtnis oder Wie Leonardo die Welt neu erfand", "Der Sinn des Gebens" und zuletzt "Träume". Kleins Werk wurde in 27 Sprachen übersetzt und vielfach ausgezeichnet, zuletzt mit dem Deutschen Lesepreis (2015).

Stefan Klein ist ein viel gefragter Vortragsredner. Für das Zeit-Magazin führt er regelmäßig große Gespräche mit den führenden Wissenschaftlern der Welt. Im Rahmen von Lehraufträgen und Vorlesungen unterrichtete er an den Universitäten Heidelberg, Freiburg, UdK Berlin, Cottbus, St. Gallen, Barcelona und Cambridge.

Klein lebt in Berlin. Er ist mit der Wissenschaftsjournalistin Alexandra Rigos verheiratet und hat drei Kinder.

Reviews

[Lis Carey · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Experiment, ISBN 9781615190904, January 2014

"If you want to be egoist, at least be a smart egoist, and share."

So says science journalist Stefan Klein, in his TEDx talk on this book. Why? Isn't it smarter to look out for our own self-interest, put our own needs first, compete ruthlessly for the greatest advantage for yourself and, by extension, your offspring? Don't altruists give away their advantages to others, and make their altruist genes less successful?

Perhaps surprisingly, the answer is no. Klein gathers together the evidence from history, biology, anthropology, psychology, economics: Those who share, who have a strong sense of fairness, justice, and compassion, are overall happier and more successful in the long run. Social groups in which fairness and generosity are valued and widely practiced are more successful than groups which are more "everyone for themselves."

Why? Humans aren't faster or stronger than the species we competed with in our early evolution. Chimps are much stronger than we are. Individually, we're largely defenseless against lions and tigers and bears--not to mention rhinos and crocodiles. The idea of one human being or a single family group bringing down a mammoth is laughable. We're smarter, but individually, that only takes us so far.

Humans survived and thrived by learning to cooperate and share, in more complex ways and across larger and larger groups, than any other species. That's our special edge--what makes us "fit" in evolutionary terms. (Yes, social insects live and cooperate in very large groups by numbers of individuals--but they are all very closely related to each other--mother/daughters/sisters.)

And the more interconnected we are, the more we value and practice fairness, generosity, and justice, not just towards those we know but toward total strangers on the other side of the globe, people whom we'll never meet.

Klein lays out the evidence clearly, readably and persuasively. Read this, and you'll feel better about humanity and yourself--and possibly make decisions that make you happier in life, and feel less pressure to do the "smart" thing against your inclination to do the right thing.

Highly recommended.

I received a free electronic galley from the publisher via NetGalley.

[Mariah]

I chose not to rate this book because I have very mixed feelings on it. There were parts of “Survival of the Nicest” that I absolutely adored, but other parts I found to be so dry that I almost wanted to put the book down. I’m curious as to the whether the writing was more entertaining in the original German. It is a great book in that it provides referenced information and encourages altruism. If you like reading scientific articles this book may be for you!

[Dr. Tobias Christian Fischer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Das was wir geben lässt uns länger leben. Anhand von witzigen Beispielen wird beispielsweise anhand von einem Stamm die Hackordnung erklärt. Der Begriff des Buches ist Altruismus. Ein rundes und schönes Buch.

#blinkist

[Chad Manske · Rating 4 out of 5]

This now-10 year ago published book challenges the commonly held belief that "survival of the fittest" is the sole driving force of human evolution. Instead, Klein argues that altruism, or acting in the interests of others, has played a crucial role in our success as a species. Through a blend of scientific research, historical examples, and philosophical insights, Klein paints a compelling picture of how cooperation and helping behavior have benefited individuals and societies throughout history. He delves into fields like evolutionary biology, neuroscience, and economics to demonstrate the advantages of altruism, from fostering stronger communities to boosting physical and mental health. The book is well-paced and engaging, making complex scientific concepts accessible to a general audience. Klein's writing style is both informative and thought-provoking, encouraging readers to reconsider their own assumptions about human nature. A strength of "Survival of the Nicest" is its emphasis on the practical applications of altruism. Klein provides concrete examples of how we can incorporate more cooperation and helping behavior into our daily lives, both at the personal and societal levels. He argues that by embracing our natural tendency towards altruism, we can create a more just, prosperous, and fulfilling world for everyone. While the book's central thesis may seem counterintuitive at first, Klein's evidence is persuasive and well-researched. He readily acknowledges the complexities of human behavior and the challenges we face in fostering a more altruistic society. However, he remains optimistic about our potential for positive change.

[Eduardo Santiago · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good material, even great material at times, but hard to follow. I think Klein tried to pack in too much: evolutionary psychology, behavioral economics, game theory, neuroscience, even Open Source. All of them are subjects I’m reasonably well read in, but even so I found it rough going. Which really bums me out because I did learn a few good things: research I was unfamiliar with, and new questions to ponder.

I completely agree with his conclusion: the only way humanity will survive is by learning to cooperate on a global scale. The trick, of course, is how. What I found most interesting is Klein’s treatment of punishment as an altruistic behavior: cooperation cannot survive in a society where trust and institutions are undermined. What if we could identify the people causing this harm? What if they were made to pay for their actions? This question may change my future voting strategy.

Not sure I can recommend this, or to whom. For most people, my go-to recommendation on these topics is Hrdy’s Mothers and Others: fascinating, and beautifully written. Fukuyama’s Trust is still my second choice, although I fear it has not aged well.

[Michael MacDonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent overview of how Altrusim factors into the progress of the human race. What I found particularly interesting was the emphasis that it's not just a matter of giving of oneself, but it's about a strategic sharing of one's resources.

Ultimately -- blind altruism does little to help us in the long run, but neither does complete selfishness. Instead, Klein demonstrates a need for a nuanced and balanced approach.

I recommend it as a great accompaniment to one's readings on Positive Psychology and virtuous living. I specifically enjoyed the segment about the world's religions and how they all have arrived at the same important conclusion about the Golden Rule. It's rich and insightful and offers hope that we can all align our selfish interests for the betterment of humankind overall.

Definitely worth the read!

[Johanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Survival of the Nicest is a great counter weight to the idea that selfishness is the true nature of human behaviour. Klein shows through examining experiments and examples from history, how cooperation, altruism and kindness in fact is the key to our success as a species.
Very interesting topic and well argued, although some of the examples and conclusions seem a bit hasty... I would appreciate more in-depth explanations or footnotes to evaluate the theories myself. The writing is a bit chaotic and chunky at times, though, possibly caused by the translation. It is also a bit science heavy. For this reason it may not be as accessible to everyone as other works of popular science.

[Bookphile · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want to feel better about humanity, read this book. More complete review to come.

Full review:

The popular narrative about human interaction these days seems to go something like this: we live in an ever more dangerous and cruel world, and the selfish are bound to win in the end. While a lot of what you can see in the media seems to support this theory, Klein has waded into the fray to offer up an alternative, one that makes the future of the human race look a lot more hopeful: it's actually the altruists who will win out in the end. Naturally, this claim will probably make cynics scoff, but Klein has a lot of research to back up his theory, and I'd also argue that it's not so much that altruists don't exist as that media isn't all that fond of talking about them. The more you read this book, the easier it is to identify the everyday acts of kindness and generosity to which many of us are privy, if only we learn to look for them.

Divided into two parts, You and I and All of Us, the book considers altruism from a variety of angles, considering the narrower aspects of person to person altruism and the wide angle of altruism amongst larger communities. The book opens with a fascinating anecdote about a New York who throws himself on the subway tracks in order to save the life of a man who is a total and complete stranger--with his young daughters as witness. Klein discusses how that man, Wesley Autrey, couldn't really explain why he'd done what he did, and it's a fair bet that most people would feel mystified about what would motivate someone to take such a risk for someone they don't know--until Klein delves into the science that indicates that most of us are actually hardwired to be altruistic. Cynics might say there's no such thing as true altruism because the altruist always derives some sort of benefit from their act of altruism, and this book offers some support for that view. As Klein illustrates, doing good makes us feel good, so we do, inf act, benefit from doing something for others even if it's to our own detriment.

How can such a trait be useful? Here Klein takes us through history and considers basic social structures, and there's a great deal in these sections that just plain makes a lot of sense. People tend to be more generous when times are good, which makes sense, but Klein offers data on why generosity in times of need can lead to the survival of a group. Societies that are more stingy tend to collapse much faster than those that have good social structures in place. Considering the current American political discourse, many might consider this view sheer blasphemy, but it makes sense. Klein offers the example of a society ravaged by natural disaster. A society that comprises a majority of egocentrics will see larger casualties of these egocentrics for the simple fact that they're more plentiful. However, their plight is further exacerbated by the egocentrics' refusal to share their limited resources, which leads to additional casualties. On the flip side, in a more altruistic society, more people are likely to survive because they pool and share their resources. If these two populations come together, the end result will be a larger number of altruists, and the phenomenon of "group selection" will take over, ensuring the numbers of altruists continue to grow. It's an interesting subject to contemplate, and it has large implications for those who are concerned with creating functional social structures that will endure in the long-term.

However, Klein points out that there is a limit to most altruism. While there are certainly those who will give and give no matter how harmful it is to them, most altruists will give until they feel they are being taken in, at which point they'll want to punish the freeloaders. Klein shows how this helps create a more stable society because it leads to enacting laws against crimes like theft and murder. There are social implications here as well, as most of us who live in society are constrained in our actions by our fears about how those actions will be perceived. If we know others will frown on a behavior, we'll usually do our best to refrain from behaving in that manner. Thus, altruism does have its limits, but those limits actually contribute to creating a more stable societal environment.

If you're a fan of neuroscience and psychology, this is a book that should appeal greatly to you. Klein cites a lot of research and evidence, but he does so in a way that doesn't require a PhD in order to grasp the concepts. What struck me most about the book was this question: what if, instead of always giving voice to those who sow discord, we gave much larger megaphones to the Dalai Lamas and Malala Yousafzais of the world? Klein talks about how people who engage in practices like meditation and considering the interconnectedness of the world are, on the whole, happier and lead more fulfilled lives than those constantly pursuing the material. It makes me hope that at some point we'll get off the treadmill of endless consumption and focus our energy on what we can do to make the world a better place for all.

(One small critique: in my ARC, the diagrams were still in German. It didn't totally negate their value, but it did make some of them a little less useful, though I thought some of them were unnecessary in the first place. Hopefully, the translation problem has been resolved in the general release version.)

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing and maybe the best book by Stefan Klein. His scientific approach combined with his incredibly pleasant writing style makes his books so readable.

The comparison of egoism with altruism has brought many new insights to me. The differences beetwen mankind and animal kingdom, which are shown in this book are plausible but even so partly surprising.

[Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about so much more than altruism. It covers everything from game theory to economic theory. It all ties back to how we treat each other and how we build trust. Fascinating stuff.

[Janice Sheufelt · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author has “ cautious optimism “ for humanity, we definitely would be better off with a lot more altruism!

[Katrine Bagge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super interessant og spændende perspektiv, men ikke voldsomt nyt at fastslå, at mennesket først og fremmest er sociale og givende. Til tider lidt svært at følge den "røde tråd" i bogen

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

** Evolution via altruism **

Darwin’s Survival of the Fittest theory emphasizes the individual’s genotype as the key determinant of evolutionary success. Stefan Klein’s Survival of the Nicest theory (nicely) takes Darwin’s theory to a new level:
“It’s not just that single genes are joined together in the genotype of an individual who must compete with other individuals. In an analogous way, many individuals together form a group and then together enter the competition for the best chances to reproduce. And that’s how evolution works everywhere: Individual genes compete for their place in the genotype, but they also work together so that the individual organism has the best reproductive chances. Individuals compete for resources within the group, but they unite and work together against other groups.” (p. 142)

And, it’s this working together that determines our ability to overcome evolutionary challenges. Ultimately, the altruistic gene knocks out the selfish gene.

Integrating a slew of current research with Klein’s own ingenious observations and ideas, _Survival of the Nicest_ offers scientists and laypeople alike a convincing argument for why altruism trumps selfishness, both in terms of individual and global prosperity:
“Many people may not be used to letting themselves be guided by the interests of others. The willingness to do something for others, however, is an attitude that one can practice until it is as natural as riding a bicycle. In time the fear of being exploited fades, and with the courage to give grows the feeling of freedom. The journey begins with curiosity. By experimenting with generosity, we have nothing to lose and much to gain, for selflessness makes us happy and transforms the world.” (p. 210)

Perhaps it’s not that “Nice guys finish last” but that “Nice guys (and girls) last.”

[Dale · Rating 3 out of 5]

German science writer Stefan Klein looks into the concept of altruism vs. egocentrism and the current thinking behind why people act altruistic or egocentric. This has been a popular topic in many news reports as the idea of a "stingy gene" or a "sharing gene" is discussed.

Of course, the idea of a single stingy or sharing gene is simplistic, but Klein does spend a lot of time discussing altruistic behaviors and egocentric behaviors and why people actually act as altruistic as they do, even going so far as to donate money to people they will never meet in countries they will never go to. Why is that?

Klein reports that the current thinking is that simple Darwinian competition is too simplistic to explain altruistic behavior - giving away resources or time that could be used to raise one's own offspring makes no sense in a simple Darwinian worldview.

But, when you move out a little bit and look at groups of people and see that groups of people who are willing to give to one another and enforce a set of norms that expect a certain amount of fair play and giving to help the entire group have more success than groups that do not than you see that the Darwinian model may yet have some merit - it is not a single person vs. a single person but groups of people vs. groups of people.

Klein compares ...

Read more at: http://dwdsreviews.blogspot.com/2014/...

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good 4.7 non-fiction. The book about altruism was full of information presented in a clear style. Klein tells the story of scientists and the human experience in this area with a kind, empathetic tone. Some sample observations (backed by data in good studies):
Cooperation makes for happiness. Empathy helps create trust. The idea of fairness is the same the world over.
Most of us are willing to do things for others but not to be exploited. (You don't want your society to be unfair, people eventually refuse to cooperate). You can't allow freeloaders in a cooperative group/society, without regulation or penalties they ruin everything, i.e. In 2008 loss of trust in the financial market and banking caused a world crisis and loss of 12 trillion dollars.

Finally the basic summary, people who do for others are happier.

[Michael Taouk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stefan Klein does not settle for the common simplistic understanding of "survival of the fittest". He takes it much further. In so doing, he unveils many of the mystries of human behavior. It is all a matter of evolution: "survival of the fittest"- the fittest gene, the fittest organism, the fittest collective. It turns out that the fittest collective is the one with the "nicest" and most cooperative individuals. With maticulous research and logic "Homo economicus" is out manouvered by "Homo reciprocans".

[Kelsey · Rating 1 out of 5]

I quit after the first chapter. Sociology is extremely susceptible to anecdotal arguments and faulty logic, partly because empirical research is challenging and often inconclusive. After the first chapter, I saw nothing to make me think this author was going to take a serious look at the material.

We all want there to be a biological mechanism that encourages our society to be altruistic. Wishing it so doesn't make it true.

[Mark Fallon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love to read books. Okay, that’s no surprise to most people who know me. My favorite topics are history, science and philosophy. When a well-written book combines all 3 subjects, it makes for great reading. And that’s the case with “Survival of the Nicest: How Altruism Made Us Human and Why It Pays to Get Along” by Stefan Klein (translated by David Dollenmayer).

[Mark Isaak · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very readable account of the evolution of altruism and how and why altruism figures in our lives. Klein seems well-informed on all aspects, including neuropsychology, game theory, sociology, and more. Examples, including everything from prehistoric hunting to the development of Linux, keep it entertaining.

[Helle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pani imestama, mida kõike inimesed püüavad teaduslikult uurida. Kõige üllatavam oli mõte, et "Egoiste tulvil maailm oleks vaba inimestest, kes võtavad süütud hinged endaga surma kaasa illusiooni kütkes, et teevad midagi ära oma kogukonna heaks."

[Becca · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting and informative look at how altruism has helped shape society. This is a very readable history of the research and evidence from disciplines such as psychology, biology and economics that show why pure self-interest isn't always to our greatest advantage.

[Don O'goodreader · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads First Reads giveaway on December 1, 2013. I have not received a copy of the book, thus I have not read it. My rating is just the average reported on Good Reads.

[Enrique Guardia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book that helps to explain how Altruism/selflessness can take hold in a Darwinistic system of evolution.

Love the final sentence: "By experimenting with generosity, we have nothing to lose and much to gain, for selflessness makes us happy and transforms the world"

[Tony Parsons]

if every 1 could do this

[Andre Hermanto · Rating 4 out of 5]

This well written book surprisingly reveals why being nice, instead of being selfish, is actually more beneficial for us. Unfortunately it drags a bit near the end.

[Jack · Rating 2 out of 5]

Be nice for the group to succeed.

[Ismija · Rating 3 out of 5]

Langweilig.

[Clare]

'The phrase ‘survival of the fittest’ conjures an image of the most cutthroat individuals rising to the top. But Stefan Klein, author of the international bestseller The Science of Happiness, makes the startling assertion that the key to achieving lasting personal and societal success lies in helping others.' That's because survival of the fittest is about survival. Evolution doesn't select for personal happiness, it selects for individuals that have large numbers of offspring.

I didn't get very far into this book before I gave up. I have to admit I was inclined to dislike it from the moment I noticed that the Neanderthals on the cover had gender coded hair lengths.