>Ego like many other human traits exists because it helped us survive. Every trait you possess no matter how negative it seems exists because it passed the filter of natural selection.
How about self-destructive behavior?
What might help the individual survive in small does is not the same in large does.
What might help the individual survive in the jungle/caves is not necessary that it works well within a civilization.
Lastly, what helped us survive as a species is not necessarily to help the individual survive.
Evolution is not a monotonically compounding collection of good traits.
As the environment changes, certain traits become invalid or even actively harmful, and others might be needed.
Add to the mix the incredible speed by which we alter our environment (with technology, culture, and so on), and the very slow speed by which evolution operates in comparison....
How about self-destructive behavior?
What might help the individual survive in small does is not the same in large does.
What might help the individual survive in the jungle/caves is not necessary that it works well within a civilization.
Lastly, what helped us survive as a species is not necessarily to help the individual survive.
Evolution is not a monotonically compounding collection of good traits.
As the environment changes, certain traits become invalid or even actively harmful, and others might be needed.
Add to the mix the incredible speed by which we alter our environment (with technology, culture, and so on), and the very slow speed by which evolution operates in comparison....