Abstract
Does Altruism Exists? This is an ongoing debate among scientists and philosophers. One of the strongest argument is that every altruistic deed has a selfish motive. “Scratch an altruist and watch a hypocrite bleed,” wrote Michael Ghiselin. David Sloan Wilson, Professor of Biology and Anthropology at Binghamton University seeks an answer this cardinal question. Wilson does not want to introduce new arguments, but rather to present a new approach to the topic. He applies evolutionary perspective to analyze social phenomena and approach altruism. In this framework, altruism is a trait or an evolutionary function of functionally organized groups. In the first five chapters Wilson establishes the theoretical framework used to analyze complex systems such as the economy, religion, or everyday life in the second half of the book to demonstrate how altruism works, what is altruism and why it is so important for humanity.
Highlights
“Lendület” Research Center for Educational and Network Studies, Centre for Social Sciences, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
There are eight core design principles that sustain common pool resources (CPR) groups: strong identity and understanding of the purpose; proportional equivalence between benefits and costs by rewarding members; collective-choice opportunities; monitoring to exclude free riders; gradually implemented sanctions; built-in conflict resolution techniques; minimal recognition of rights to organize for the group itself and for groups belonging to a larger social system; and appropriate coordination between relevant groups
In the second chapter Wilson claims that an evolutionary story is required to explain functional organization and provides several principles to follow
Summary
“Lendület” Research Center for Educational and Network Studies, Centre for Social Sciences, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary. Book Review: Does Altruism Exist?: Culture, Genes, and the Welfare of Others He applies evolutionary perspective to analyze social phenomena and approach altruism. Altruism is a trait or an evolutionary function of functionally organized groups.
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