Some conjectures (frankly, after having just read the title):
+ Good and bad are both cascade effects.
+ Religion might be seen as a device to "generate" a good motive albeit one external to the immediate environment/circumstance, the goal being to promote "good" behavior in the face of / despite being the recipient of "bad" behavior or circumstances. (The follow on questions might be what is defined as "good" behavior and whom is it benefiting.)
+ Our actions do indeed affect others, and perhaps not just those we are immediately involved with.
+ Altruism is about bettering the environment within which we exist.
Note also that, per the link at the end of the article, this study is not behind a paywall:
Comments
Some conjectures (frankly, after having just read the title):
+ Good and bad are both cascade effects.
+ Religion might be seen as a device to "generate" a good motive albeit one external to the immediate environment/circumstance, the goal being to promote "good" behavior in the face of / despite being the recipient of "bad" behavior or circumstances. (The follow on questions might be what is defined as "good" behavior and whom is it benefiting.)
+ Our actions do indeed affect others, and perhaps not just those we are immediately involved with.
+ Altruism is about bettering the environment within which we exist.
Note also that, per the link at the end of the article, this study is not behind a paywall:
http://arxiv.org/abs/1107.0392