Maybe it was a Neanderthal. Possibly Homo erectus. Conceivably this genius lies farther back in our genus. But at some point somebody decided that the free exchange of goods might be more productive than taking them by force. The latter method is as old as the dinosaurs. A big predator encountered a smaller predator chomping on a tasty morsel of prey. Big predator threatened to make lunch of small predator, which dropped the morsel and skedaddled.
Terrific article! I'm reminded of this oft-quoted observation from Adam Smith: "It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker, that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own interest. We address ourselves, not to their humanity but to their self-love, and never talk to them of our own necessities but of their advantages. Nobody but a beggar chooses to depend chiefly upon the benevolence of his fellow-citizens. Even a beggar does not depend upon it entirely."
Terrific article! I'm reminded of this oft-quoted observation from Adam Smith: "It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker, that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own interest. We address ourselves, not to their humanity but to their self-love, and never talk to them of our own necessities but of their advantages. Nobody but a beggar chooses to depend chiefly upon the benevolence of his fellow-citizens. Even a beggar does not depend upon it entirely."