Re: Darwin and Hamilton



Thanks for reply. You've acknowledged, "I suspect that the question
you are really trying to ask here is whether instincts toward
xenophobia and group solidarity and tendencies to be swayed by
genocidal propaganda are still adaptive." Instincts are inborn
behaviors responsive to specific stimuli. As you pointed out Kin
Selection and group selection are not things that we "chose" to do,
like walking on two legs or losing our gills. They are things that
happen to us like gravity. There is no way we can turn them off or
avoid them. Genocide is a political/cultural phenomenon rather than
(just) a biological one. As you stated It is almost always fomented by
a political leadership against a group which is likely to oppose that
leadership. I tend to take a very biological approach to society, much
as you described Kin selection and group selection. How much is a
political leadership a product of biology or culture? Could we agree it
represents both. For example, if there wasn't a basis in group
formation then genocide as well as Balkanization would arguably be
impossible. However, since there is a very real basis (biological I
would add) in group formation (and this includes 'ethnic' group
formation) this provides a possible basis for a particular political
leadership inspiring to or fomenting genocide. It has been demonstrated
time and again there are many examples of altruism and xenophobia in
the animal world. Perhaps Kin selection and group selection are
inadequate as explanations but my belief is the potential for genocide
has a biological basis which can be 'fomented by political leadership'.

I don't think genocide is evolutionarily adaptive but considering we've
had so many since the Holocaust it would be unrealistic to think we
won't have more. I'm seeing a possible future Balkanization in the U.S.
As you mentioned, "Kin Selection and group selection are not things
that we "chose" to do, like walking on two legs or losing our gills.
They are things that happen to us like gravity. There is no way we can
turn them off or avoid them." In other words, "Genocide is not a thing
we "chose" to do, like walking on two legs or losing our gills." I
truly wish I was wrong. Everytime there is a genocide the world at
large gives its moral retort by speading its asscheeks and passing gas.

Michael Ragland


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