Survival of the Fittest in Survival Algorithms: A Cross-Civilizational Dynamic Explanation for the Demise of Human Sacrifice Under the Mechanism of Causal Deterrence
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: This paper argues that the demise of human sacrifice across global civilizations is not attributable to humanityor moral progress, but a systemic correction and upgrade of civilizational survival algorithms driven by the "De-terrence Mechanism of Causality". Based on a series of theoretical frameworks such as The Prime Mover: TheGeneration, Evolution and Revision of Causal Deterrence and Civilizational Order, combined with empiricalfindings from archaeology and history, this study conducts a cross-civilizational dynamic analysis of human sac-rifice systems in the Shang Dynasty, Maya, Aztec, Ancient Rome and other civilizations. The research showsthat the inherent structural flaws of human sacrifice (triggering external wars or internal revolutions) inducehigh-intensity negative feedback, resulting in the comprehensive failure of the four core variables"feedbackintensity, certainty, delay, and perception"of its supporting system[7]. This ultimately forces different civiliza-tions to independently converge toward alternative rules with lower internal friction: the natural emergence ofethical revision[2]. By dissecting the operational process of the threefold mechanism of feedback percep-tion construction across various civilizations, this study confirms that ethics are essentially a rational solutionformed by civilizations to avoid self-destruction[1]; furthermore, the narrative strategy of the ruling class tomaintain violent systems by masking truth with lies temporarily distorts feedback certainty and ultimatelyaccelerates the collapse of the variable system. This framework not only provides a unified paradigm for un-derstanding history, but also points to an urgent path for contemporary civilizations to proactively implement"ethical revision" and "algorithm upgrade" when confronting "survival-level negative feedback" such as climatecrises and technological ethics.Keywords: Demise of human sacrifice; Causal deterrence mechanism; Survival algorithm; Feedbackperception; Ethical revision; Narrative of lies; Cross-civilizational comparison; Civilizational continuity
Author: Zhao, Xin
Language: English
Subfield: Philosophy
Field: Arts and Humanities
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7128099837