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'ConnorEvidence 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 Unfairness— Sean Carroll's MindscapeCreated: 6/13/2026, 12:26:23 AM
My Notes
Loading notes...