Sunday, April 13, 2008

Ever Since Darwin, 8: The Science and Politics of Human Nature, 33: So Cleverly Kind an Animal

If individual advantage, as Darwin argues, is the only criterion of success in nature, how can we explain altruism in humans?

Theory of kin selection can help. It's the idea that animals evolve behaviors that endanger or sacrifice themselves only if such altruistic acts increase their own genetic potential by benefiting kin. If you are walking with three of your brothers and a situation arises in which you can save your brothers by giving up your life, what should you do? If your three brothers live, they'll propagate 150% of your genes while you have only 100% of yours!

Ever Since Darwin: Reflections in Natural History by Stephen Jay Gould

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