Clarifications about inclusive fitness and multi-level selection from David Queller

Misunderstandings about the “group selection controversy” continue to rumble on for some reason (especially in the study of humans), even though inclusive fitness (kin selection) and multi-level selection (group selection) are simply two alternative equivalent ways of modeling and talking about the same evolutionary reality. Here’s a link to a discussion of the group selection controversy from Joan Strassmann’s blog, where, in the comments section, Dave Queller clarifies how the controversy is essentially semantic.

Strassmann and Queller‘s current work on social amoebae illustrates just how interesting, intriguing, and mind-blowing the the study of the evolution of cooperation can be.