Word: altruists
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Dates: during 1970-1979
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...genetic contribution is human beings." Using game theory, he concluded that natural selection produces individuals that exchange favors?in effect saying, "You scratch my back; I'll scratch yours." In other words, the favor will eventually be returned, thus improving the outlook for the genes of the first altruist. According to the theory, human charitable acts are therefore rooted in biology and gene selfishness. This theory could explain human loyalty to nation, corporation or church; these institutions can provide benefits to members that increase the chances for them to survive and propagate...
...overt cheaters (who accept favors but never return them) are long-term losers in the evolutionary game. Yet subtle cheaters who pretend to cooperate but do not are winners. As a result, Trivers believes, humans survived by evolving a complex psychology and set of emotions to keep the altruist from being exploited by cheaters: indignation, guilt, gratitude, sympathy and moralism...
...deal with them in the same way. For instance, if men are supposed (by nature) to compete with each other with the best man winning out, as an individualistic natural selection model dictates, then both Spencer and Wilson must find ways to explain why some humans are inclined to altruistic acts that appear to be entirely selfless. Wilson and Spencer provide elaborate scientific justifications for these acts of human kindness. Spencer launches into a lengthy passage in "The Date of Ethics" showing, through a network of cost benefits, how an individual betters his fitness by aiding his offspring. Wilson...
...order to increase its chances of commercial succes, Preservation was released as two separate albums, or "Acts." Act I, setting the stage, presents three characters or archetypes based upon the three sides of Davies's shifting personality. There is Mr. Black, the original altruist and vanguard of the people, who gradually is tranformed into a crazy, tyrannical despot as his power increases. Then there is Flash, a corrupt gangster-like politician currently in power, whose mere presence is a cause for alarm among the people. Finally there is the Tramp, a social dropout who acts as the detached narrator...
...skis and said, "Wait a minute." Adler had no safety strap. Last year that wouldn't have mattered, but the rules had been changed this year. Gordon told the officials that someone had told him it was OK down at the base lodge. No soap, said the starters. An altruist from New England College said, "Here, take mine." and Gordon started madly attaching the straps to his bindings. Just as he got to the gate, the starters said, "Number 15, in the gate." Gordon said wait just a second, he was ready to go. No soap. Number 14 missed...