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Why reciprocal altruism is not a kind of group selection

Publication ,  Journal Article
Ramsey, G; Brandon, R
Published in: Biology and Philosophy
May 1, 2011

Reciprocal altruism was originally formulated in terms of individual selection and most theorists continue to view it in this way. However, this interpretation of reciprocal altruism has been challenged by Sober and Wilson (1998). They argue that reciprocal altruism (as well as all other forms of altruism) evolves by the process of group selection. In this paper, we argue that the original interpretation of reciprocal altruism is the correct one. We accomplish this by arguing that if fitness attaches to (at minimum) entire life cycles, then the kind of fitness exchanges needed to form the group-level in such situations is not available. Reciprocal altruism is thus a result of individual selection and when it evolves, it does so because it is individually advantageous. © 2011 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Biology and Philosophy

DOI

EISSN

1572-8404

ISSN

0169-3867

Publication Date

May 1, 2011

Volume

26

Issue

3

Start / End Page

385 / 400

Related Subject Headings

  • Science Studies
  • 22 Philosophy and Religious Studies
  • 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences
  • 06 Biological Sciences
 

Citation

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Ramsey, G., & Brandon, R. (2011). Why reciprocal altruism is not a kind of group selection. Biology and Philosophy, 26(3), 385–400. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10539-011-9261-7
Ramsey, G., and R. Brandon. “Why reciprocal altruism is not a kind of group selection.” Biology and Philosophy 26, no. 3 (May 1, 2011): 385–400. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10539-011-9261-7.
Ramsey G, Brandon R. Why reciprocal altruism is not a kind of group selection. Biology and Philosophy. 2011 May 1;26(3):385–400.
Ramsey, G., and R. Brandon. “Why reciprocal altruism is not a kind of group selection.” Biology and Philosophy, vol. 26, no. 3, May 2011, pp. 385–400. Scopus, doi:10.1007/s10539-011-9261-7.
Ramsey G, Brandon R. Why reciprocal altruism is not a kind of group selection. Biology and Philosophy. 2011 May 1;26(3):385–400.
Journal cover image

Published In

Biology and Philosophy

DOI

EISSN

1572-8404

ISSN

0169-3867

Publication Date

May 1, 2011

Volume

26

Issue

3

Start / End Page

385 / 400

Related Subject Headings

  • Science Studies
  • 22 Philosophy and Religious Studies
  • 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences
  • 06 Biological Sciences