Comment by next_xibalba
Comment by next_xibalba 6 hours ago
> "Most animals take care of their wounded peers"
Citation needed. Here is a paper suggesting that the assistance of injured peers is rarely observed across taxa [1]. From an evolutionary standpoint, this doesn't pass the smell test due to costs to the helper, cheating/freerider problems, low probability of re-encountering the helper/helped (i.e. many species don't repeatedly meet the same animal of their species), and of course, the risk of the injured animal attracing predators.
> "Cruelty and contempt for the weak is a specifically human trait, and not only that, but a very recent one too."
History would suggest otherwise. All of documented human history is lousy with horrific cruelties like genocide, human sacrifice, slavery, war, etc.