Philosophy 1250F/G Lecture 4: Lecture 4 - Altruism Among Animals
23 Jan 2019
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Small rather than large may be better for a group. Monkeys in the trees -- if one of them spots a predator it gives a call warning the others. Warning call helps the other monkeys in the trees but puts the caller in danger by attracting attention of possible predator. Actually reduces biological fitness (less likely that you will survive and reproduce) For animals that live in groups -- reproduction rate across the pack is better. Groups have an optimal size -- breaks into 2 groups when it is too big (like group reproduction) Might be that monkey groups have better group reproduction than monkeys that do not have callers. Group reproduction is associated with altruism with warning call. May be able to measure the fitness of groups -- better at keeping descendant groups going. Some species may have a better output of group reproduction (newer groups survive at a better rate)
