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Altruism, egoism, or neither: A cognitive-efficiency-based evolutionary biological perspective on helping behavior

Armin W Schulz1

  • 1Department of Philosophy, University of Kansas, 3083 Wescoe Hall, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA.

Studies in History and Philosophy of Biological and Biomedical Sciences
|January 19, 2016
PubMed
Summary

Organisms may evolve beyond egoistic helping due to cognitive efficiency. Non-egoistic helping, including altruism and reflex-driven aid, can be faster and less resource-intensive.

Keywords:
AltruismEfficiencyEgoismMental representationOffspring careReciprocity

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