[ExI] [Evol, Soc] Survival of the Selfless

[x at extropica.org]

"The consensus that formed in the 1960s turned group selection into a
pariah concept, taught primarily as an example of how not to think.
Interpreting behaviours as "for the good of the group" was said to be
just plain wrong. Inclusive fitness theory (also called kin
selection), evolutionary game theory and selfish gene theory were all
developed to explain the evolution of apparently were all developed to
explain the evolution of apparently altruistic behaviours in
individualistic terms, without invoking group selection."

<http://evolution.binghamton.edu/dswilson/resources/publications_resources/New%20Scientist.pdf>


Abstract
"Current sociobiology is in theoretical disarray, with a diversity of
frameworks that are poorly related to each other. Part of the problem
is a reluctance to revisit the pivotal events that took place during
the 1960s, including the rejection of group selection and the
development of alternative theoretical frameworks to explain the
evolution of cooperative and altruistic behaviors. In this article, we
take a "back
to basics" approach, explaining what group selection is, why its
rejection was regarded as so important, and how it has been revived
based on a more careful formulation and subsequent research.
Multilevel selection theory (including group selection) provides an
elegant theoretical foundation for sociobiology in the future, once
its turbulent past is appropriately understood."

Rethinking the Theoretical Foundation of Sociobiology
<http://evolution.binghamton.edu/dswilson/resources/publications_resources/Rethinking%20sociobiology.pdf>

[Sent on behalf of Jef]