GROUP SELECTION AND THE EVOLUTION OF ALTRUISM

B. Cooper and Chris Wallace

Economics Series Working Papers from University of Oxford, Department of Economics

Abstract: "Group selection" is often cited as an explanation for the survival of altruism. The idea of group selection is a controversial one - much effort has been expended on its justification (and refutation). Relatively little effort has gone into formally testing whether or not it can actually provide a reasonable explanation for altruistic behaviour. This paper concentrates solely on whether or not a group structure enables the survival of altruism in an evolving population. If altruism is to flourish either groups need to be isolated from each other for multiple generations, or groups themselves need to be constructed in a positively assortative manner.

Keywords: GROUPS; POPULATION; GENERATIONS (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C72 C73 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2001
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Related works:
Working Paper: Group Selection and the Evolution of Altruism (2001)
Journal Article: Group selection and the evolution of altruism (2004)
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Persistent link: http://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:oxf:wpaper:9967

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