What you just described is significantly downstream from genetics. A system of punishing criminals arose from our ancient genetics, although it certainly helped maintain selective pressure.
But even more downstream from environment. A society that needs to plan food rationing every winter cannot afford useful members who will victimise their betters rather than starve.
I always see this argument, but it ignores the fact that all early civilizations originated in fairly warm climates near the Mediterranean, places where winters are fairly mild. Northern Europe didn't join the fold until the Romans looped them in.
Not everywhere, in Scandinavian places before the invasion of the church, they "outlawed" criminals. Which meant they were at the mercy of the town. This meant exile, and out there, that was almost always death unless the criminal was high IQ.
That remained in England well after Christianization, didn't stop until the Normans, well really survived after that in different forms. The stockades were a limited form of outlawry.
I would say it has much more to do with the European developed system of governance that imposed the death penalty on criminals.
Positive eugenics for the win.
What you just described is significantly downstream from genetics. A system of punishing criminals arose from our ancient genetics, although it certainly helped maintain selective pressure.
But even more downstream from environment. A society that needs to plan food rationing every winter cannot afford useful members who will victimise their betters rather than starve.
This was always the funniest part about the nature versus nurture debate. The two were never disconnected. Genetics are an expression of environment.
I always see this argument, but it ignores the fact that all early civilizations originated in fairly warm climates near the Mediterranean, places where winters are fairly mild. Northern Europe didn't join the fold until the Romans looped them in.
Not everywhere, in Scandinavian places before the invasion of the church, they "outlawed" criminals. Which meant they were at the mercy of the town. This meant exile, and out there, that was almost always death unless the criminal was high IQ.
That remained in England well after Christianization, didn't stop until the Normans, well really survived after that in different forms. The stockades were a limited form of outlawry.