Comments on: Group Selection Meme on the Rise http://emergentfool.com/2008/12/08/group-selection-meme-on-the-rise/ ...explorations in complex adaptive systems... Wed, 08 Sep 2010 09:30:28 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: rafefurst http://emergentfool.com/2008/12/08/group-selection-meme-on-the-rise/#comment-1625 rafefurst Sat, 13 Dec 2008 20:22:52 +0000 http://rafefurst.wordpress.com/?p=622#comment-1625 From my perspective kin recognition, spatial selection, punishment (and other dynamics you discuss in your post on the Evolution of Cooperation) are actually all manifestations of the evolutionary benefit of cooperation under the right circumstances. In other words, these all fall under the heading of group selection. From my perspective kin recognition, spatial selection, punishment (and other dynamics you discuss in your post on the Evolution of Cooperation) are actually all manifestations of the evolutionary benefit of cooperation under the right circumstances. In other words, these all fall under the heading of group selection.

]]> By: ben http://emergentfool.com/2008/12/08/group-selection-meme-on-the-rise/#comment-1626 ben Fri, 12 Dec 2008 16:37:43 +0000 http://rafefurst.wordpress.com/?p=622#comment-1626 Hah, good find! It seems that group selection was a case of "baby thrown out with bathwater"--some of the arguments used to justify it were weak, but that doesn't mean it's a bad concept. Of course, it's hard to differentiate between the effects of group selection, kin recognition, or spatial selection. They end up looking like mostly the same thing. For many organisms, a combination of these and other mechanisms were likely relevant in structuring their societies. Hah, good find! It seems that group selection was a case of “baby thrown out with bathwater”–some of the arguments used to justify it were weak, but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad concept.

Of course, it’s hard to differentiate between the effects of group selection, kin recognition, or spatial selection. They end up looking like mostly the same thing. For many organisms, a combination of these and other mechanisms were likely relevant in structuring their societies.

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