Survival of the fittest is a phrase we often hear in sociology and allied sciences, rooted in Darwinian evolution theory. It suggests that only the strongest and most adaptable survive and thrive. However, in a recent TED Talk, Prof NeelikaMalavige, the Mother Theresa-like physician we came to know during Sri Lanka’s Covid-19 times, introduced a contrasting concept: the survival of the kindest. Prof Malavige is known for her extensive research during the Covid-19 epidemic. She proposes that loving-kindness and cooperation are becoming the new norms that shape our world.
This theory challenges the traditional survival of the fittest narrative.
Historically, survival of the fittest has been the foundation of natural sciences. It focuses on competition and adaptation. However, Prof. Malavige’sTED Talk, titled Survival of the Kindest, suggests a paradigm shift. Interestingly, this concept sounds more like owned up by the humanities discipline than social science or even natural science. It aligns more with human experiences and the cooperative nature of human evolution, than other disciplines.
Human dominance
Prof Malavige draws from various sources. Yuval Noah Harari’s ‘Sapiens’ is one source that attributes humanity’s dominance to the species’ ability to collaborate and work towards common goals. Early humans thrived not just through individual strength but through collective effort, hunting large animals and fending off predators together, which led to the development of complex societies and technological advancements.
Her personal experiences further illustrate the power of kindness. During her early research career at Oxford, she encountered challenges and insecurities. When her daughter fell ill, it almost sabotaged a critical experiment. Yet her kind-hearted colleagues steppedin to help complete the experiment. This act of support inspired her to cultivate a collaborative and supportive research environment. That’s one turning point in her life when she realised that kindness and cooperation are crucial for scientific progress.
At Oxford, this culture of kindness manifested through colleagues coaching each other for interviews, providing feedback on research proposals, and offering assistance during personal crises. Such a supportive environment led to significant scientific advancements, demonstrating that kindness can be a driving force behind innovation and success.
Contrasting her experiences in Oxford with those in Sri Lanka, where resources are limited, Prof. Malavige highlights how her team achieved remarkable success during the COVID-19 pandemic through cooperation and community support. The country lacked infrastructure and research funds all right but the team’s achievements epitomised a culture of kindness and cooperation which led to incredible results, even in challenging circumstances.
Community support
This narrative aligns with the broader societal trends during the COVID-19 pandemic, where acts of kindness and community support became more visible and impactful. From neighbours helping each other with groceries to communities organising support networks for the vulnerable, kindness surfaced as one powerful tool for recovery.
The world has grown fond of this concept called loving kindness more than it was a decade ago. A few decades ago this concept would have sounded simply a moral or philosophical concept. And it is a generally acknowledged fact that it is an emotion often associated with compassion and altruism. Now the world is hearing more and more scientific research that support the benefits of kindness on both individual and collective levels. Studies have shown that acts of kindness can boost mental and physical health, increase happiness, and even extend lifespan. On a societal level, communities that prioritise cooperation and kindness tend to be more innovative and successful.
We come to learn, from Malavige’s talk, how neuroscientific research indicates that acts of kindness activate the brain’s reward system, releasing chemicals like oxytocin and dopamine, which enhance feelings of well-being and strengthen social bonds. This biological basis for kindness suggests that it is an integral part of human nature, crucial for our survival and thriving.
Social welfare
The impact of loving-kindness is evident in various global contexts. In Scandinavia, countries like Denmark and Sweden prioritise social welfare and community support, leading to high levels of happiness and well-being. These societies demonstrate that policies promoting kindness and cooperation can create more equitable and prosperous communities.
In the corporate world, companies that promote a culture of kindness and empathy often see higher employee satisfaction, better teamwork, and increased productivity. For example, organisations such as Google focus on psychological safety, diversity, and inclusion, to recognise that a supportive environment drives innovation and success.
NeelikaMalavige’sTED Talk on Survival of the Kindest highlights a crucial shift in our understanding of human evolution and societal progress. Moving away from the cutthroat competition implied by survival of the fittest, embracing kindness and cooperation offers a pathway to a more sustainableglobal community.
In retrospect, we can understand it is this kindness that formed the very basis of civilisations. This sophisticated emotion is what distinguishes humans from all other species on Earth. In a country where people have been continuously baying for politicians’ blood, where teachers invade politicians’ official spaces without permission and then complain about being tear-gassed, voices like Prof. NeelikaMalavige’s are a breath of fresh air. Our emotional well-being often proves more effective than medicine.
Sachitra Mahendra
