Sociological Natural Selection

[chaoticidealism]

Natural selection isn't as simple as Darwin. It may be obvious that individuals pass down traits, and those traits that don't foster survival will die out with the individuals that carry them; but people forget (as Darwin forgot) that individuals almost always live in groups, rather than competing on their own. Darwin has, for example, no

Comments

going back to the dog

[ext_128912]

If I had a dog die to save me I'd immediately buy another dog of the same breed and suggest that my friends all do the same. Dogs live successfully in every part of the world while most medium and large animal species are under threat. Being useful to the dominant species is a good strategy

book recommendation

[anonymous]

There's a book I think you might like to read. It deals with the same idea you're having here - that allowing for neurodiversity (what a lovely word!) - helps a society to survive and even thrive. It's also quite a well-written book and is an enjoyable read!

"This Alien Shore" by C.S. Friedman

Enjoy!

I agree, but...

[anonymous]

I agree with what you're saying, but I think you're a little harsh on "Darwin." He didn't forget the things that you mentioned, though of course his theory on this was not as fully developed as it is today. I like this quote below, because he's specifically mentioning that he's NOT forgetting altruism.

"It must not be forgotten that although a high standard of morality gives but a slight or no advantage to each individual man and his children over the other men of the same tribe, yet that an advancement in the standard of morality and in increase in the number of well-endowed men will certainly give an immense advantage to one tribe over another. There can be no doubt that a tribe including many members who, from possessing in a high degree the spirit of patriotism, fidelity, obedienhce, courage, and sympathy, were always ready to give aid to each other and to sacrifice themselves for the common good, would be victorious over other tribes; and this would be natural selection. (Darwin 1871, 166)"