Does Altruism Exist?: Culture, Genes, and the Welfare of Others

191 Pages·2015·1.89 MB·English

by  David Sloan Wilson

Does Altruism Exist?
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Foundational Questions in Science
At its deepest level, science becomes nearly indistinguishable from
philosophy. The most fundamental scientific questions address the
ultimate nature of the world. Foundational Questions in Science,
jointly published by Templeton Press and Yale University Press,
invites prominent scientists to ask these questions, describe our
current best approaches to the answers, and tell us where such
answers may lead: the new realities they point to and the further
questions they compel us to ask. Intended for interested lay read-
ers, students, and young scientists, these short volumes show how
science approaches the mysteries of the world around us, and offer
readers a chance to explore the implications at the profoundest and
most exciting levels.
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Does Altruism Exist?
Culture, Genes, and the
Welfare of Others
7
David Sloan Wilson
new haven and london
Templeton Press
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Copyright © 2015 by David Sloan Wilson
All rights reserved.
This book may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, including
illustrations, in any form ( beyond that copying permitted by
Sections 107 and 108 of the U.S. Copyright Law and except by reviewers
for the public press), without written permission from the publishers.
Yale University Press books may be purchased in quantity for
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[email protected] (U.S. office) or [email protected] (U.K. office).
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Set in Hoefler Text by Gopa & Ted2, Inc.
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Library of Congress Control Number: 2014942467
ISBN 978-0-300-18949-0 (cloth: alk. paper)
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
This paper meets the requirements of ANSI/NISO Z39.48-1992
(Permanence of Paper).
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To altruists everywhere,
defined in terms of action
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Contents
Acknowledgments · ix
Introduction: Altruism and Evolution · 3
1. Groups That Work · 7
2. How Altruism Evolves · 19
3. Equivalence · 31
4. From Nonhumans to Humans · 47
5. Psychological Altruism · 59
6. Altruism and Religion · 75
7. Altruism and Economics · 93
8. Altruism in Everyday Life · 115
9. Pathological Altruism · 133
10. Planetary Altruism · 141
Notes · 151
Works Cited · 159
Index · 173
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Acknowledgments
W riting this book made me realize how much
altruism has been a central question throughout
my career, from my first paper on group selection as
a graduate student to my current studies of human altruism in
the context of everyday life. I therefore have a lot of people and
organizations to thank. In the interest of brevity, Elliott Sober,
Christopher Boehm, and Elinor Ostrom deserve special mention
for their foundational contributions to the study of altruism. It
has been an honor and privilege to work with them.
Altruism requires becoming part of something larger than
oneself. I would therefore like to thank two organizations: EvoS,
Binghamton University’s campuswide evolutionary studies pro-
gram that has grown into a multi- institution consortium, and the
Evolution Institute, the first think tank that formulates public
policy from a modern evolutionary perspective. I helped to create
these organizations and know well how many people generously
contributed their time and effort. I am especially grateful to Jerry
Lieberman and Bernard Winograd for their help bringing the Evo-
lution Institute into existence.
Among funding organizations, the John Templeton F oundation
ix
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