Perception Season 1 Episode 4

Dr. Daniel Pierce: What is a conscience? Is it something we can locate on a MRI? Studies have shown that people with damage to the ventromedial prefrontal cortex are actually more willing to sacrifice a human life as long as they perceive it's for some greater good. But what about people who have no trouble sacrificing others to their own selfish ends? Is heartless cruelty our true nature? And empathy the aberration? My grandmother used to say "It's nice to be nice." and that may be true. Or, are we better off spending every waking moment tending our own selfish needs? The good news is, it turns out, there is evolutionary advantage to simple human kindness. We couldn't get through a cold Paleolithic winter without a little cooperation. Still, on some prehistoric level, we're all lone hunters. So it can feel dangerous to show any softness to other members of the tribe. But if we manage to lay down our clubs and our sharpened rocks, answering the call of an altruistic imperative can be its own reward.