This is a thoughtful article Benjamin. My take on social evolution was developed from examining cause and effect and the dynamics of agents acting in large numbers. Enslavement is how ant colonies function and is a successful model. The majority of ants live short productive lives in service of their queen. They are completely loyal. The majority of humans lead long lives with most of their time spent in training for or doing enslaved productive service for their sovereign. The sovereign in our democratic system is a group labeled by some as the elite and not a egg laying machine. We too are loyal, watch the queens funeral procession or the popes. The method of enslavement is sophisticated and free society the illusory concept that binds the shackles. I think we know exactly who we are but do not wish to face that uncomfortable truth and therefore search for the meaning of existence thereby offering poets and philosophers inspiration.