![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Entry tags:
A thought on evolution
I had a strange thought while reading an article in the NYT about evolution. I'm still kind of groping around, but thought I'd make a note or two while I can; I have a tenuous hold on the concept.
Of course, this may all be pointless idiocy. Nonetheless:
Individuals within a species whose behavior improves the overall survival and reproductive success of the group - i.e. "helpful" behavior - provide an evolutionary advantage to the group. A species which for whatever reason tends to produce individuals with that sort of behavior would have an advantage over species which did not; that advantage could be offset by other factors, of course.
But I'm trying to figure out what mechanism would conserve the "helpful" characteristic(s). Of course, that would partly depend on the extent to which is was a cultural trait, as opposed to a genetic one. Although evolutionary concepts can, of course, be applied to culture. On the other hand, how close are the similarities between cultural and biological evolution?
Another factor would be whether or not the "helpful" trait improved the individual's own chance of survival and reproduction.
Taking it one step further, a species which developed a trait which enhanced the reproductive chance of "helpful" individuals would have a still greater advantage.
Interesting.
Come to think of it, that's a common argument in science fiction, particularly the optimistic SF of the Campbell age - that humanity as a species is superior (in many genre works) because of our cooperative nature and/or compassion. Of course, one could imagine an alien species which could outdo us in that regard.
Okay, my brain hurts a little. Time for a break.
Of course, this may all be pointless idiocy. Nonetheless:
Individuals within a species whose behavior improves the overall survival and reproductive success of the group - i.e. "helpful" behavior - provide an evolutionary advantage to the group. A species which for whatever reason tends to produce individuals with that sort of behavior would have an advantage over species which did not; that advantage could be offset by other factors, of course.
But I'm trying to figure out what mechanism would conserve the "helpful" characteristic(s). Of course, that would partly depend on the extent to which is was a cultural trait, as opposed to a genetic one. Although evolutionary concepts can, of course, be applied to culture. On the other hand, how close are the similarities between cultural and biological evolution?
Another factor would be whether or not the "helpful" trait improved the individual's own chance of survival and reproduction.
Taking it one step further, a species which developed a trait which enhanced the reproductive chance of "helpful" individuals would have a still greater advantage.
Interesting.
Come to think of it, that's a common argument in science fiction, particularly the optimistic SF of the Campbell age - that humanity as a species is superior (in many genre works) because of our cooperative nature and/or compassion. Of course, one could imagine an alien species which could outdo us in that regard.
Okay, my brain hurts a little. Time for a break.