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To: jwalsh07
. The essence of altruism is selflessness, even to the point of being "harmful to itself" (see defintion #2). Reciprocity, you scratch my back if I scratch yours, is the antithesis of altruism hence the term "reciprocal altruism" is sociobabble.

It's a well established term in animal behavior, nothing to do with sociobabble. It means engaging in behavior that is immediately neutral or harmful in exchange for reciprocal behavior that is beneficial.

You think a killdeer that puts her life in danger to draw predators away from her chicks does so because she was raised Catholic?

1,025 posted on 12/14/2005 3:18:16 PM PST by Right Wing Professor (...just call me Pangloss)
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To: Right Wing Professor
It's a well established term in animal behavior, nothing to do with sociobabble. It means engaging in behavior that is immediately neutral or harmful in exchange for reciprocal behavior that is beneficial.

No, it's not well established, it is controversial. And easy to see why, the contradiction in terms must be unpalatable for all but the most devoted reductionists.

Kin selection is much better established which is what you are referring to below but I'd be happy to discuss that with you as well.

You think a killdeer that puts her life in danger to draw predators away from her chicks does so because she was raised Catholic?

Certainly not but when the killdeer jumps in the ice to save another killdeers chicks, you can get back to me because then I will suspect the killdeer did have some training by Catholic parents.

1,026 posted on 12/14/2005 3:25:45 PM PST by jwalsh07
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