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The concept of group heritability

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Abstract

This paper investigates the role of the concept of group heritability in group selection theory, in relation to the well-known distinction between ‘type 1’ and ‘type 2’ group selection (‘GS1’ and ‘GS2’). I argue that group heritability is required for the operation of GS1 but not GS2, despite what a number of authors have claimed. I offer a numerical example of the evolution of altruism in a multi-group population which demonstrates that a group heritability coefficient of zero is perfectly compatible with the successful operation of group selection in the GS2 sense. A diagnosis of why group heritability has wrongly been regarded as necessary for GS2 is suggested.

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Author notes

  1. Samir Okasha

    Present address: Instituto de Investigaciones Filosoficas, Circuito Mario de la Cueva, Ciudad Universitaria UNAM, Delegación Coyoacan, México D.F., C.P. 04510, Mexico

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of York, UK

    Samir Okasha

  2. Instituto de Investigaciones Filosoficas, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de México, Mexico

    Samir Okasha

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  1. Samir Okasha
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Okasha, S. The concept of group heritability. Biology & Philosophy 18, 445–461 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1024140123391

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