In my view, most human beings are innately neither moral nor immoral but rather amoral. They are driven by emotional self-interest and have the poten… - Nayef Al-Rodhan

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In my view, most human beings are innately neither moral nor immoral but rather amoral. They are driven by emotional self-interest and have the potential to be either moral or immoral, depending on what their self-interest dictates, and will be influenced in their choices by emotions and socio-cultural contexts. Circumstances will determine the survival value of humankind’s moral compass in that being highly moral in an immoral environment may be detrimental to one’s survival and vice versa. Indeed, our neuronal architecture is pre-programmed to seek gratification and feel good regardless of the reason. All apparently altruistic behaviour serves self-interest at some level.

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About Nayef Al-Rodhan

Nayef R.F. Al-Rodhan (born 1959) is a Saudi philosopher, neuroscientist and geostrategist. He is an Honorary Fellow of St. Antony’s College at Oxford University and Centre Director, Centre for the Geopolitics of Globalization and Transnational Security and Senior Fellow, Emerging Security Challenges Programme, Geneva Centre for Security Policy.

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Alternative Names: Nayef R. F. Al-Rodhan
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Our new concept of just power argues that the promotion of justice should be the aim of modern statecraft, not for altruistic reasons, but because it is the only sustainable way that states can promote progress and stability in a globalised world.

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