Altruism Within Evolutionary Biology

Paper Summary:

This paper examines, through collected evidence, whether or not altruism can occur under the premise of evolutionary biology. It explains what evolutionary biology is and then explains the concept of altruism. It then goes on to explain why altruism is a paradox for evolutionary biology. The paper presents theories on altruism in an attempt to explain and minimize this paradox.

Table of Contents:
Abstract
Introduction
Background
Methods
Discussion

From the Paper:

"There are many different results that are possible within this experiment. First, the expected result is that the majority of individuals will answer that they would act altruistically. However, they could act altruistically in some cases, as when they are giving change back to others, but selfishly when it comes to saving a drowning person and risking their own lives. Another scenario is that they could act selfishly when they are in the room by themselves, but when they are doing so in conjunction with someone else, they might be motivated by the visual sign of someone else to be altruistic. I argue that in most cases individuals will be altruistic and that they are altruistic because it is a reciprocated trait. When it comes to the questions of whether they would act altruistically knowing that the other person would not do the same. I believe the majority of individuals will still act altruistically. Although this result might differ from person to person."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Hamilton, WD. "The genetic evolution of social behavior". Journal of Theoretical Biology. 1964,
• Maynard Smith, J. "The theory of games and the evolution of animal conflict". Journal of Theoretical Biology. 1974.
• Maynard Smith, J. "Group Selection". The Quarterly Review of Biology. 1975. 51:277-283.
• Rushton, JP. "Genetic similarity, human altruism, and group selection". Behavioral and Brain Sciences. 1989
• Sherman, PW. "Nepotism and the Evolution of Alarm Calls". Science. 1977.

More papers on Altruism Within Evolutionary Biology:

• Term Paper # 99094 : "Altruism"
• Research Paper # 117210 : "Altruistic Maternal Care"
• Essay # 10031 : "Altruism in Biology"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: