The Good Samaritan and his genes

Abstract

The Good Samaritan helping non-genetically related other does not fit well into a Darwinian framework. Some biologists claim he 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.