There’s something RIGHT with human nature, says historian Rutger Bregman

<p>There’s only one problem with the widely-held belief that humans are fundamentally amoral and selfish, says Dutch historian <strong>RUTGER BREGMAN</strong>: it’s rubbish. His new book <a href="https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/humankind-9781408898932/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Humankind: A Hopeful History</a> argues that the record shows humanity’s superpower is its unique aptitude for altruism and co-operation. He tells <strong>Andrew Harrison</strong> why everything from <em>Lord Of The Flies</em> to the story of the Blitz is teaching us to draw the wrong conclusions about the human race – and explains who benefits from spreading the myth of human selfishness.</p><p><br></p><ul><li><em>“Catastrophes bring out the best in people”</em></li><li><em>“Individual humans are not all that smart or strong –&nbsp;but we can cooperate on the level no other species can match.”</em></li><li><em>“The idea that most people are pretty decent is actually a revolutionary idea.”</em></li><li><em>“Cynicism is a form of laziness.</em>”</li></ul><p><br></p><p>Presented and produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producer Jacob Archbold. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. <strong>THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.</strong></p> &#10;&nbsp;<br /><hr><p style='color: grey; font - size: 0.75em; '>See <a style='color: grey; ' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for privacy and opt-out information.</p>