Worldviews and Values

Abstract

The tension between these two competing forces, the self vs. the communal, has always been at the root of different worldviews as they evolve. This chapter focuses on the unique aspects of Christianity that led to its rapid adoption and fostered the adaptation of individualism. Unique aspects of Christianity will be addressed such as evangelism, universality, voluntary association, foundation on ethical and moral tenets, the focus on hope versus fate, and most important the freedom to choose based on free will. The fundamental Christian belief that the world, and the self, is structured so as to fulfill intelligible moral ends was a striking departure that started a cascade of evolutionary ideas. Adaptations in the cultural genome arose due to the advent and spread of Christianity with its unique focus on the inner person. And this worldview initiated the evolutionary adaptation towards increasing individualism. Through this worldview, the individual becomes responsible, not the tribe, not the fates. And the result of the development of this radical cultural meme underpins our modern notion of identity, overthrowing the ancient views in which all identity and validation came from belonging to a larger entity.