What are the evolutionary benefits of being stoic?
Are there any benefits to being apathetic? What causes apathy? Is it a protection mechanism of some sort?
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34 Answers
Never let the bastards see you sweat.
or
Never complain; never explain.
It’s a guy thing.
Never let ‘em see you sweat! @CyanoticWasp beat me to it >.<
If people sense fear, they pounce! But if you can keep a level head, you could be unstoppable! I think it is a sort of defense mechanism somethimes because it does help us to keep from getting hurt mentally and emotionally.
Showing too much emotion lets people manipulate you because they know how you will react. This is one of the reasons why women get exploited and taken advantage of, they need to be more stoic and apathetic instead of ‘oh woe is me’ everytime something happens to them. I know men that have actually intentionally preyed on weak-minded and weak-willed insecure women because they know they are easier to manipulate.
To me, stoic and apathetic are two different concepts. Stoic implies not showing emotional response from duress and apathy is simply not showing emotion in normal situations. I’m going to focus on stoicism for my reply.
Look to birds for your example. If a bird appears sick, the rest of the flock will distance themselves from the injured animal. It keeps the illness from spreading to the other members. Birds, like humans, are delicate creatures and fall sick easily, so this makes sense. I would also draw a parallel between physical illness and perceived mental weakness/illness and how it’s perceived within a ‘flock’.
What @gemiwing said.. being stoic means not allowing others an inkling of physical or mental pain. Apathy is entirely different.
Now, I can see a great benefit from stoicism. If no one knows you’re hurt, you can’t be taken advantage of in your weakened state and you won’t be singled out or pushed out of the group. The illusion of strength/health might be appealing to potential mates, as well.
Lots of animals practice stoicism and it’s a survival mechanism. If they act weak or sick, they might get preyed upon or cast out from their group.
Is this question about being stoic or apathetic? I’m confused.
Stoicism and apathy are two entirely different things.
It is better way to handle adversity than being a drama queen—for everyone involved—
Apathy is not caring, stoic is not giving in. Two quite different concepts.
I don’t see any evolutionary benefit to either of them. One of the social benefits that both could reap for you is that people might leave you alone. Sounds good to me.
There are no evolutionary benefits. Going out like a martyr does not add to the gene pool. Whether you are bravely quiet or babyishly snivelly, if you can hit ‘em on the head with a brick and run to breed another day —- that’s all that counts.
Apathy or absence of passion is a perfect example of someone not being challenged for survival or so far gone because of a traumatic event to no longer even care. As far as evolutionary benefit…hmmm…once the strong and able see that the apathetic are contributing to the benefit of them and their needs maybe they will have realized a sustainable society they can successfully manage and rule! Sound familiar?
@everyone Thank you for answering.
I looked up the definition of the words stoic and apathetic in the dictionary before posting this question. It seems that they both entail indifference, so that is why I categorized them similarly. However, upon more investigation, I have come to understand that stoic means the absence of one’s own emotion, and apathetic means to not give a da*n about someone else’s. I see how that can be confusing when reading over the original question. To clarify, I wanted the question to cover one’s all encompassing lack of emotion (their own, as well as someone else’s.)
If there was that little edit this question button still next to it, I would put the word ‘indifferent’ in place of the word stoic.
Apathy makes you seemingly predictable, when you can be unpredictable. >_>
There are no longer any benefits unless you are a sheep or a zebra.
Able to mask your condition till you drop in your tracks. lol
Since we are no longer running from predators stoicism does nothing except frustrate women, in which case it is possible to be harmed. lol
If your stoic then your children will survive better and reproduce more so yes
@Blackberry If your stoic then your reputation will be passed to your children so they will reproduce more
Stoic implies controlling ones emotions with effort, apathy means total indifference. Someone who is apathetic in the face of a threat could very likelyt howl his/her head off when the threat becomes real, someone stoic would do his or her damndest not to.
@talljasperman How will my reputation in society of being a stoic individual make my children have more babies?
@Blackberry If people respect you more Then they will have a better view of your children when they grow up…(like A legacy)....and you know where successful babys come from “successful people”? and the money sex link is sorta strong… buts its allso true that those who don’t care can have children too… but they work for the rich dude
@Blackberry
I’d explain but it’s better to appear unperturbed. ~
maybe I’ll get a spot on mt Rushmore
@talljasperman I know where babies come from….but how can a reputation in a community affect how two people procreate is what I’m asking? It’s like you’re saying that the amount of offspring a couple has is determined by how their society or community perceives them…...And that is what does not make sense because it obviously is not true.
@Blackberry I’m feeling apathic now…ponder my words…The cool kids get laid more…I’m going to the next question after I watch wheel of foutune
@SeventhSense Huh? How? Non-cool people procreate all the time lol….
True. Come to think of it I have a hard time imagining that even procreation has any evolutionary basis. Some of the dumbest people seem to multiply like hotcakes.
I find that when a person is stoic that people may sometimes open up to them more, because they don’t seem to be bias and can give a rational point of view.
For yourself being stoic can also buy you some thinking time. People often jump into an opinion because their expressions already gave them away without knowing the full details of the story and then feel obliged to stick with their initial response. Its like playing switzerland. You get to either stand their and nod your head till you decide what side your are going to take or bail out all together because you never commited to either side.
It’s not a “guy thing”. Women can be very stoic.. guys are just more proud of themselves for not acting like babies.
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