Suchergebnisse

The connection between altruistic behavior & freedom in human beings is examined. An overview of relevant literature on the relationship between altruism & natural selection reveals that group-selection accounts of altruism are extremely vulnerable to theories positing the introduction of "selfish individuals" into altruistic populations. W. D. Hamilton's (1964) alternative explanation of altruism emphasizing selection on the individual gene level is applauded. An analysis of the parent-offspring relationship indicates that parents require twice the amount of altruism than offspring; consequently, the conflict between parents & offspring is delineated as inevitable & firmly embedded in evolution. It is concluded that individuals maintain freedom under the gene-level approach to human behavior, & socialization theory has actually robbed individuals of freedom. 3 Figures, 5 References. J. W. Parker