I. Pre-watching task. Working in pairs explain what the title of the talk may mean, what you expect to hear in the talk. If necessary, google the term.
II. Identify the topic of the talk given by Robert Wright.
III. For questions a-i decide whether the statements are true or false (if false, explain why):
a) Cultural evolution as well as social organization have been following a trend towards greater complexity.
b) The speaker believes that the growing complexity of social structure can be explained through the non-zero sum theory.
c) Non-zero-sum games imply win-win outcomes because of the correlation of people’s fortunes.
d) Non-zero-sum games are a feature of the recent times.
e) The speaker believes that the non-zero-sum dynamic is only going to grow
more intense and positive over time.
f) The speaker believes that humanity has seen moral progress over time and it is self-interest that has been responsible for it.
g) Non-zero-sum dynamic is the reason there is as much tolerance toward
nationalities, ethnicities, religions as there is today.
h) The salvation of the world requires focusing exclusively on efforts in arms
control and the international regulation of dangerous technologies.
i) According to Robert Wright, the trends to “growing lethality of hatred” and “death spiral of negativity” leave humanity with no choice but to move
towards greater moral progress.
IV. Identify the thesis of the talk.
V. Expand on the following:
grim inspiration
moral dimension to history
moral awareness
an expansion of your moral compass
business-class morality
growing lethality of hatred
death spiral of negativity
VI. Give the gist/summary of the talk.
VII. Agree or disagree, give your reasons.
● The non-zero-sum dynamic has driven us to the verge of a moral truth,
which is the fundamental equality of everyone.
● All the salvation of the world requires is the intelligent pursuit of
self-interests in a disciplined and careful way.