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Does Altruism Exist? - Culture, Genes, and the Welfare of Others (Hardcover)
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Does Altruism Exist? - Culture, Genes, and the Welfare of Others (Hardcover)
Series: Foundational Questions In Science
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List price R668
Loot Price R501
Discovery Miles 5 010
You Save R167 (25%)
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A powerful treatise that demonstrates the existence of altruism in
nature, with surprising implications for human society Does
altruism exist? Or is human nature entirely selfish? In this
eloquent and accessible book, famed biologist David Sloan Wilson
provides new answers to this age-old question based on the latest
developments in evolutionary science. From an evolutionary
viewpoint, Wilson argues, altruism is inextricably linked to the
functional organization of groups. "Groups that work" undeniably
exist in nature and human society, although special conditions are
required for their evolution. Humans are one of the most groupish
species on earth, in some ways comparable to social insect colonies
and multi-cellular organisms. The case that altruism evolves in all
social species is surprisingly simple to make. Yet the implications
for human society are far from obvious. Some of the most venerable
criteria for defining altruism aren't worth caring much about, any
more than we care much whether we are paid by cash or check.
Altruism defined in terms of thoughts and feelings is notably
absent from religion, even though altruism defined in terms of
action is notably present. The economic case for selfishness can be
decisively rejected. The quality of everyday life depends
critically on people who overtly care about the welfare of others.
Yet, like any other adaptation, altruism can have pathological
manifestations. Wilson concludes by showing how a social theory
that goes beyond altruism by focusing on group function can help to
improve the human condition.
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