causal

Repeated interaction and kin selection explain altruism

Altruism that seems individually irrational is explained by two mechanisms: repeated interactions change the game's structure so cooperating now can be rational because it elicits future cooperation, and kin selection means genes for altruism are favored because altruists directed toward kin are disproportionately helping other altruists who share those genes.

causalpending

Speaker

Cailin O'Connor

Evidence Quote

altruists are getting these kind of benefits by dint of associating with each other. That then defectors aren't getting

Source

113 | Cailin O'Connor on Game Theory, Evolution, and the Origins of UnfairnessSean Carroll's Mindscape
Created: 6/13/2026, 12:26:23 AM

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