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Comment
. 2020 Apr 30:43:e83.
doi: 10.1017/S0140525X19002504.

Caregiving relationships as evolutionary and developmental bases of obligation

Rachna B Reddy  1 , Henry M Wellman  2
Affiliations
Comment

Caregiving relationships as evolutionary and developmental bases of obligation

Rachna B Reddy et al. Behav Brain Sci. .

Abstract

Obligation as defined by Tomasello requires mutually capable parties, but one-sided caregiver relationships reveal its developmental and evolutionary precursors. Specifically, "coercive" emotions may prompt protective action by caregivers toward infant primates, and infants show distress toward caregivers when they appear to violate expectations in their relationships. We argue that these early social-relational expectations and emotions may form the base of obligation.

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  • The many faces of obligation.
    Tomasello M. Tomasello M. Behav Brain Sci. 2020 Apr 30;43:e89. doi: 10.1017/S0140525X19002620. Behav Brain Sci. 2020. PMID: 32349841

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