An Evolutionary Theory of Values

Abstract

Brains, individuals, humanity, and the universe in which they emerged are complex adaptive systems. Driven by common motivations related to the second law of thermodynamics, their dynamism is regulated by localised cooperation and competition between components. Cooperation is associated with energy conservation and stability, competition with energy loss and disorder. All systems can be evaluated in terms of their propensity to change and the interplay of cooperation and competition between components. The Schwartz system of values, which provides a parsimonious description of the human motivational system, has axes that describe just these characteristics. We argue that its structure evolved to represent a pre-existing universal equivalent. The motives of stable, energy-conserving pre-biotic systems can be attributed to the equivalent of its conservation/cooperation quadrant. With the evolution of organisms, subordinate competitive motives were integrated to facilitate dynamism. Pro-change motives subsequently emerged in intelligent organisms, to be supplemented by widely framed and consciously cooperative motives in humanity. We present experimental and other evidence showing that human decision-making exhibits linear, hierarchical patterns of values-based influence consistent with this evolutionary sequence. The implications of this on established psychological theory, and the potential insights it offers in relation to personal, organizational, and societal development are discussed.