EvC Forum: Evolution of Altruism

Email This Thread

Newer Topic | Older Topic

Author

Topic: Evolution of Altruism

Panda

Member (Idle past 3739 days)

Posts: 2688

From: UK

Joined: 10-04-2010

Normal Thread Display

Message 4 of 103 (585684)
10-09-2010 9:57 AM

Reply to: Message 1 by Stephen Push
10-09-2010 9:09 AM

Stephen Push writes:

While this was an extreme example of heroism, such self-sacrificing behavior is common enough in our species to raise a challenge to the TOE.

Could you describe this challenge for me, please?

This message is a reply to:
	Message 1 by Stephen Push, posted 10-09-2010 9:09 AM		Stephen Push has not replied

Panda

Member (Idle past 3739 days)

Posts: 2688

From: UK

Joined: 10-04-2010

Normal Thread Display

Message 31 of 103 (585781)
10-09-2010 6:29 PM

Is conflict (and the things that cause conflict, e.g. overpopulation) considered to be an environmental pressure that would 'encourage' natural selection?
Surely, going to war is an instant reduction in your chances of survival/reproduction?

To paraphrase that famous saying: "He who fights and runs away - lives to father more children."

Panda

Member (Idle past 3739 days)

Posts: 2688

From: UK

Joined: 10-04-2010

Normal Thread Display

Message 36 of 103 (585859)
10-10-2010 7:15 AM

Reply to: Message 32 by Bolder-dash
10-10-2010 2:52 AM

Bolder-dash writes:

First, do you actually believe there is a gene which controls altruism? And do you think that there are specific mutations that could happen to that gene which would suddenly make one more altruistic or less altruistic? Do you also think that there are people who may have gotten a mutation to their own altruism gene, and thus they could possibly not share this same inherited desire to be selfless?

(Firstly, I hope you are intentionally using the singular 'gene'. Nobody actually thinks it is a single gene.)

Could you describe your reasons for denying the existence of behaviour genetics?
e.g. Do you not agree that mental illness runs in families?

Do you have some information that conclusively answers the 'nature vs nurture' debate?

This message is a reply to:
	Message 32 by Bolder-dash, posted 10-10-2010 2:52 AM		Bolder-dash has not replied

Date format: mm-dd-yyyy

Timezone: ET (US)

Newer Topic | Older Topic

Do Nothing Button

3 online now:	LamarkNewAge, Minnemooseus (Adminnemooseus), popoi
Newest Member:	ChatGPT
Post Volume:	Total: 916,784 Year: 4,041/9,624 Month: 912/974 Week: 239/286 Day: 46/109 Hour: 0/0