On Morning Edition today, NPR reported on a lab performing experiments on the capacity of rats to demonstrate empathy and altruistic behavior. One rat was trapped in a tube, while another rat had the capability to release the trapped rat. In all the cases, the free rat saved the trapped rat.
But the story doesn’t end there.
The free rat was also trained to release a tube full of rat delicacies like chocolate. The free rat didn’t simply release the chocolate and eat it. The free rat released the trapped rat before releasing the chocolate so that they could share in the feast.
In a follow-up experiment, the free rat was given a copy of Ratlas Shrugged. After reading the novel, the free rat released only the chocolate and ate it all. Afterward, the free rat explained to the trapped rat that the tube was built by the government, and the trapped rat should be able to use his own abilities to free himself.
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