The Reptilian Brain

Have we gone back to the age when reptilians ruled the world? IMHO, the modern (Western) world has been overtaken by a dangerous mindset that is basically acting like the most primitive part of our brains: the reptilian brain. It "features" a simplistic and reductive worldview, which I would like to embody in the figure of “Homo Economicus". It reduces human existence to the cold calculus of economic self-interest. It prioritizes competition, dominance, and short-term gain, while ignoring empathy, complexity (VUCA!), and the interconnectedness of life. This reptilian brain logic has not only wrecked the middle class but also fostered the rise of authoritarian leaders, ultra-conservative movements, religious extremism, and the chaos which we face du to “stupid-right.” Together, these forces are driving us deeper into our self-inflicted crises.

At its core, the reptilian brain of Homo Economicus treats humans as nothing more than profit-maximizing machines. Every decision is framed around competition and efficiency, sidelining the social and emotional aspects of human life, dehumanising us. It is diminishing the importance of language, culture, science, art, music... All the differences and things that makes each of us unique. Everything has to be captured in 2D-spreadsheets, reduced to sharp numbers, leaving no room for the uncertainty that is part of the real world - even the scientific world. And at (economic) schools this “reducing to 2D” is often still tought - gruelling! But by representing the world in nice, simple to understand graphs pretending - absolute fake - accuracy, it’s easy to convince shareholders, and the boss. Most of use have gone through budgetting excersises. Rigourously, all numbers are discussed weeks on end in committees spending countless hours - hours not for the customers by the way, just to make the spreadsheet fit. It is all ending in a nice overview where all numbers do add up, and represent the leaders’ needs & wishes. But what was, after a year, the accuracy? Pretty bad, I would say. So, why we keep doing this? The disturbing thing for me here is: the smarter of us understand that this is all a fallacy and a misrepresentation, but cannot or want not change these behaviours and habits.The consequence of clinging on is that incompetent, self-serving, testosteron-laden leadership in many (if not most) governments and in many companies has become abundant. Reinforcing the negative spiral.

On a bigger scale, this reptilian oversimplification-mindset has dismantled the middle class by outsourcing jobs, promoting precarious gig work, and gutting public services in favor of privatization and austerity. By off-shoring and exploitation of guest workers. The result is widespread insecurity, a loss of social mobility, and the erosion of hope for a better future. For millions, this has created fertile ground for despair and anger—emotions easily exploited by simplistic and destructive ideologies. The rise of authoritarian - almost always high-testosteron males - leaders is one such consequence. These figures prey on the frustration and disillusionment left behind by Homo Economicus. They promise strong leadership and easy scapegoats, blaming immigrants, marginalized groups, or elites for society’s woes. Like the reptilian brain itself, authoritarianism operates in a binary, survivalist mode, pitting “us vs. them” while eroding trust in democratic institutions. These leaders appeal to those who feel abandoned, offering the illusion of order amid the chaos. But let’s do a simple thought-experiment here: which male-dominated leadership board or government has effectively closed the gender gap? At this moment the number is dagerously close to 0%. Simply because this is irrelevant on their agenda.

In tandem, ultra-conservative politics have surged, drawing support from those desperate to reclaim a sense of stability and tradition. Reactionary ideologies flourish in this climate, as people cling to familiar hierarchies and values in a world stripped of security. Progressivism is reframed as a threat, not because it inherently is, but because Homo Economicus has undermined the community bonds that make change feel safe and achievable. The resulting polarization fuels the chaos of what some aptly describe as the “stupid-right”—a volatile mix of authoritarian populism, reactionary conservatism, and deliberate ignorance that rejects nuance in favor of anger.

Religious extremism has also found a foothold in this crisis. As Homo Economicus focuses solely on material success, it leaves a spiritual void. Extreme religious movements exploit this vacuum, offering moral certainty and a sense of belonging to those adrift in a fragmented world. These movements often align with authoritarianism and ultra-conservatism, amplifying their impact and further destabilizing society.

All of these trends—authoritarianism, the rise of the “stupid-right,” ultra-conservatism, and religious extremism—are underpinned by the reptilian brain of Homo Economicus. This narrow, survival-driven logic has reduced the world to a series of transactions, ignoring the need for empathy, collaboration, and long-term thinking. It has left us with growing inequality, environmental devastation, and a society that prioritizes profits over people.

Breaking free from this destructive mindset requires transcending the reptilian instincts that drive Homo Economicus. We must embrace a more evolved approach that values community, sustainability, and shared well-being. This means rebuilding the middle class, investing in public goods, and creating systems that prioritize empathy and cooperation over competition and greed. Only then can we address the deep, underlying chaos that the reptilian brain of Homo Economicus has unleashed—and finally begin to heal.