The Good Samaritan and his genes - audio/video lecture
Date
2002-11-09
Authors
Rolston, Holmes, 1932-, speaker
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Abstract
This is a lecture given by Holmes Rolston at a conference on Biology and Morality at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan on November 9, 2002.
The Good Samaritan helping non-genetically related other does not fit well into a Darwinian framework. The Good Samaritan--some biologists claim--is constitutionally (=genetically) unable to act for the victim's sake. There must be a self-interested account; the Samaritan, deceived about his motives, is rewarded with reproductively profitable reputation. But such behavior, praised and imitated, jumps genetic lines and there is no differential survival advantage.
The Good Samaritan helping non-genetically related other does not fit well into a Darwinian framework. The Good Samaritan--some biologists claim--is constitutionally (=genetically) unable to act for the victim's sake. There must be a self-interested account; the Samaritan, deceived about his motives, is rewarded with reproductively profitable reputation. But such behavior, praised and imitated, jumps genetic lines and there is no differential survival advantage.
Description
This was originally an audio recording to which some video slides were added.
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Subject
Good Samaritan
selfishness
altruism
self-deception
genetics
Darwinism
reputation
religion
survival advantage