Misalignment Reveals Evolutionary Biases

Designing aligned AI forces engineers to choose between brittle, rule‑based controllers and flexible, goal‑directed learners; the tradeoffs mirror why evolution produced human minds that are adaptable but sometimes at odds with long‑run goals. Framing human cognitive quirks (biases, motivated reasoning, modularity) as evolutionary 'misalignments' with cultural/designed goals recasts debates about responsibility, education and governance. — If correct, this reframing shifts public debate: many psychological problems become design-and-governance questions (how to delegate, incentivize, and institutionalize oversight) rather than solely moral failings of individuals.