In reinforcement learning theory, humans learn from the outcomes of their actions and update the expected value of their future choices accordingly. To act in a socially adaptive manner, we must...Show moreIn reinforcement learning theory, humans learn from the outcomes of their actions and update the expected value of their future choices accordingly. To act in a socially adaptive manner, we must learn about the consequences our actions have on both ourselves and others. In the current study, empathy was tested as a trait which influences our ability to learn to make decisions which benefit others. It was hypothesised that higher empathy would lead to improved prosocial learning, and that feelings of responsibility for others would meditate such effect. A probabilistic prosocial reinforcement learning task was used, whereby 30 healthy males aged between 19 and 34 played a game to win monetary rewards for themselves, another person, or no-one. ANOVA analysis revealed that participants showed higher learning rates when playing for others rather than themselves, which is not congruent with previous research. The potential reasons for this finding are discussed. Correlation analysis of accuracy rates and computational learning rates with empathy scores revealed no relationships between trait empathy and prosocial learning. Further analysis failed to show feelings of responsibility for others mediating the effect of empathy on prosocial learning. Thus, the current study found no evidence for empathy having a role in prosocial learning, nor for feeling responsible for others as a mediator. The current sample did, however, perform as well or better for others than for themselves, which may be due to cultural differences or testing occurring during the Covid-19 pandemic when empathy, prosocial actions, and social responsibility were increased.Show less
The United Nations' foundational principles, delineated in the Charter of the United Nations, remain the driving political and ideological force in its decision-making, formation, and performance....Show moreThe United Nations' foundational principles, delineated in the Charter of the United Nations, remain the driving political and ideological force in its decision-making, formation, and performance. This research will show that, because the Organization is built on a liberal internationalist morality, it prioritizes liberal ethics to the detriment of a communal morality. Currently, the principles governing the institutions are mostly generalized principles of conduct aimed at fostering economic freedom and to maintain security – a morality mostly based on voluntarism, mutual gains, and negative freedom – but these principles do not speak of an intrinsic motivation towards an (additional) morality based on fellowship, solidarity, equality, and global well-being. A communal moral dimension is absent in the Charter, and this in turns prevents the United Nations from becoming a community instead of an aggregate of member-states. As I will showcase later following the Akan philosophy, such intrinsic motivation is internal to the practices of a community, and the universalisation of the liberal morality currently is insensitive to the international context of the United Nations. Since the Organization has thus yet to become a holistic community, it is unable to take up grand collective responsibility in their striving towards global well-being and development. Akan philosophy specifically and African communitarianism in general will be put forward as candidates to manifest this additional morality, one which will be able to facilitate the formation of a community, to strengthen the bond between member-states and United Nations, and to address social responsibility within a framework of relationality and interconnectedness. African communitarianism could help bridge the gap that currently exists between the theoretical appeal and the actual implementation of the Organization’s collective responsibility. A synthesis between liberal internationalist and African communitarian principles could fashion the United Nations as a community, one in which concepts of freedom and voluntarism would be coupled with values of solidarity and relationality, and where the individual member-states are motivated to adhere to their social responsibilities.Show less
