Question

In BIOL350 we considered that if cultural evolution is to 'come to our rescue', it will probably require what we might call 'biosocial management'— and that one of the challenges for this is our disposition for 'temporal discounting'. (i) Describe what is meant by 'biosocial management goals'; and (ii) Describe what is mean by 'temporal discounting' in this context, its evolutionary roots, and its main implications that we discussed in the course.

A) Biosocial management goals are irrelevant to cultural evolution.
B) 'Temporal discounting' has no evolutionary basis.
C) Biosocial management goals involve optimizing social well-being.
D) 'Temporal discounting' involves prioritizing short-term gains over long-term benefits.

Answer 1

Biosocial management goals involve optimizing social well-being, while temporal discounting involves prioritizing short-term gains over long-term benefits.

Step-by-step explanation:

(i) Biosocial management goals refer to managing the relationship between biology and society to optimize social well-being. In the context of cultural evolution, biosocial management goals involve ensuring that societal norms and behaviors align with the principles of life and human interests.

(ii) Temporal discounting refers to the tendency to prioritize short-term gains over long-term benefits. It has evolutionary roots as a product of our past survival needs, where immediate rewards were crucial. The main implications of temporal discounting in the course are that it poses a challenge to biosocial management goals by hindering our ability to prioritize long-term sustainability and well-being.