In the case of humans, we can find even very abstract concepts rewarding, such as the feeling that we are valued by our local community. And unlike animals, we can often put these rewards ahead of biological needs. As Read Montague points out, “sharks don’t go on hunger strikes”: the rest of the animal kingdom only chases its basic needs, while only humans regularly override those needs in deference to abstract ideals. So when we’re faced with an array of possibilities, we integrate internal and external data to try to maximize reward, however it’s defined to us as individuals.
