Sober and Wilson on Psychological Altruism

Abstract

The problem of Evolutionary Altruism (EA) "is to show howbehaviors that benefit others at the expense of self canevolve;" group selection is the key to the solution of thisproblem. The problem of Psychological Altruism (PA) is todetermine whether people "have altruistic desires that arepsychologically ultimate." After carefully considering thearguments of both psychologists and philosophers, Sober andWilson render the verdict "not proven." But just in thenick of time, evolutionary biology rides to the rescue; itsucceeds where psychology and philosophy fail invindicating our good nature. In this paper, I will discussSober and Wilson's treatment of PA. (edited)