3.0  Summary

   Ethological and anthropological research, including the study of animals, very primitive cultures and technologically more advanced civilizations, shed much light on the problems of past and present societies. Modern studies regarding the functioning of the human brain add further insights.

   Instincts are very important and there are significant natural differences between males and females. Cultures typically exaggerate, suppress, or modify what is natural. Generally, cultural institutions developed in a rather random fashion, influenced by environmental factors, contacts with other cultures, technical developments, etc. While institutions cannot change human nature, they greatly influence its expression; to improve people's behaviors and quality of life, their institutions must be changed.

   The study of global or natural ethics is important. Ethics deals with conflicts between self-interest and altruism. It is primarily based on social instincts and empathy. A distinction is made between natural ethics and culture-bound, often religious associated, mores or morals. Empathy, the study of human nature, and our broad understanding of disparate cultures are fundamental to a worldwide pursuit of human rights and natural ethics. Ethical values must be based on human nature. While ethical thinking includes prescriptions, such as not to steal or kill, there are no absolutes:  humane, ethical thinking must be pragmatic and include intuition and conscience.

   Ethical thinking, and particularly empathy, is partly learned. Empathy and healthy expression of social instincts is probably based on a favorable early psychosocial development. Support of nuclear families by their community is usually needed for the healthy development of children. Ethical thinking, particularly the broadening of empathy, must be taught at all levels of children's development and in all human endeavors. 

   Institutions must address other aspects of quality of life, including a natural pursuit of healthy lifestyles, appropriate standards of living, and the further development of medical and psychological-psychiatric treatments.

   The scientific understanding of instincts in humans, of cultural anthropology, of neurosciences, and of ethics provides the foundation of the proposed model framework of institutions.