I think this is a nice way of looking at things. You take on an 'anthropologist' persona. Nevertheless, we can see our role as trying to find ways to achieve the benefits (for us or for society) without as many of the flaws. It also depends on what the individual is trying to achieve. There is also the self-referencing weirdness to deal with.
For instance, world wars may have taught us some important lessons as a society, but could we have found a better way to learn those lessons without so much harm done to so many?
Similarly, some conservative behaviors may be adaptive for some populations (getting married and having children an obvious one), but perhaps they don't maximize my own individual happiness, which I have a right to value more.
This is where technology starts to play a big role as well.
I think this is a nice way of looking at things. You take on an 'anthropologist' persona. Nevertheless, we can see our role as trying to find ways to achieve the benefits (for us or for society) without as many of the flaws. It also depends on what the individual is trying to achieve. There is also the self-referencing weirdness to deal with.
For instance, world wars may have taught us some important lessons as a society, but could we have found a better way to learn those lessons without so much harm done to so many?
Similarly, some conservative behaviors may be adaptive for some populations (getting married and having children an obvious one), but perhaps they don't maximize my own individual happiness, which I have a right to value more.
This is where technology starts to play a big role as well.