There is some rich history and sociology in the study of the evolution of cooperation. Some of the biggest names in biology have debated this issue. In academia, using or ignoring the terms as defined by a previous scholar is akin to confirming or supporting their view. So scientific controversies can be influenced by decisions … Continue reading The use of the terms “reciprocity” and “reciprocal altruism” in biology

Frans de Waal gives a fun talk on empathy and cooperation in elephants and nonhuman primates:

Market Powers Predict Reciprocal Grooming in Golden Snub-Nosed Monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana) in PloS ONE Grooming Up the Hierarchy: The Exchange of Grooming and Rank-Related Benefits in a New World Primate in PLoS ONE Reciprocal cooperation between unrelated rats depends on cost to donor and benefit to recipient in BMC Evolutionary Biology Oxytocin modulates selection of allies in … Continue reading Some recent papers on grooming, cooperation, and oxytocin (all open access)

While passing Prof. Charles Fenster on campus a few weeks ago, I mentioned to him that I was reading The Social Conquest of Earth by E.O. Wilson. He suggested (I think facetiously) that I should write a review of it on my blog (at the time I did not have a blog). E. O. Wilson's made some rather abrasive and … Continue reading Review of “The Social Conquest of Earth” by E. O. Wilson