Capturing the superorganism: a formal theory of group adaptation

Gardner, Andy; Grafen, Alan

doi:10.1111/j.1420-9101.2008.01681.x

Cited by 270 publications

(318 citation statements)

References 78 publications

(193 reference statements)

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“…(However since the variables are unstandardized, the (−c) coefficient on the direct path needs to be multiplied by V ar(p)). 19 Summing over the two paths, we can thus deduce the value of Cov(w i , p i ), as in equation (7).…”

Section: Figure 2: Case Where Ks Is Causally Adequatementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Recent work by Gardner and Grafen ([2009]) studies the conditions under which groups may be considered 'adapted units', using Grafen's 'formal Darwinism' framework. They argue that clonal groups, and groups in which within-group reproductive competition is completely suppressed, are the only situations in which group adaptationism is valid.…”

Section: Relation To Previous Workmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Relation between Kin and Multilevel Selection: An Approach Using Causal Graphs

Okasha

2016

The British Journal for the Philosophy of Science

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General rightsThis document is made available in accordance with publisher policies. Please cite only the published version using the reference above. Full terms of use are available: http://www.bristol.ac.uk/pure/about/ebr-termsThe Relation between Kin and Multi-level SelectionAn Approach Using Causal Graphs Samir OkashaAbstract Kin selection and multi-level selection are alternative approaches for studying the evolution of social behaviour, the relation between which has long been a source of controversy. Many recent theorists regard the two approaches as ultimately equivalent, on the grounds that gene frequency change can be correctly expressed using either. However this shows only that the two are predictively equivalent, not that they offer equally good causal representations of the evolutionary process. This paper articulates the notion of an 'adequate causal representation' using causal graphs, and then seeks to identify circumstances under which kin and multi-level selection do and do not satisfy the test of causal adequacy.

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Section: Figure 2: Case Where Ks Is Causally Adequatementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Relation To Previous Workmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Relation between Kin and Multilevel Selection: An Approach Using Causal Graphs

Okasha

2016

The British Journal for the Philosophy of Science

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“…Major transitions involve organisms cooperating so completely that they give up their status as individuals, becoming parts of a whole (Queller & Strassmann 2009). Unsurprisingly, then, major transitions require the extreme condition of effectively complete or perfect alignment of interests (Gardner & Grafen 2009;West et al 2015).…”

Section: What Conditions Drive Major Transitions?mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Under natural selection, units are selected to be selfish, striving to replicate themselves at the expense of others. Theory tells us that for units to unite under a common purpose, the evolutionary conflict between them must effectively eliminate (Gardner & Grafen 2009;West et al 2015).…”

Section: Complexity and Major Transitions In Spacementioning

confidence: 99%

“…The next step was to use evolutionary theory to provide insight about when (or under what conditions) we can expect major transitions to occur (Maynard Smith & Szathmáry 1995;Queller 1997;Gardner & Grafen 2009;Bourke 2011;West et al 2015). Major transitions involve the original entities completely subjugating their own interests for the interests of the new collective.…”

Section: Major Transitions On the Earthmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Darwin's aliens

Levin

Scott

Cooper³

et al. 2017

International Journal of Astrobiology

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Making predictions about aliens is not an easy task. Most previous work has focused on extrapolating from empirical observations and mechanistic understanding of physics, chemistry and biology. Another approach is to utilize theory to make predictions that are not tied to details of Earth. Here we show how evolutionary theory can be used to make predictions about aliens. We argue that aliens will undergo natural selection -something that should not be taken for granted but that rests on firm theoretical grounds. Given aliens undergo natural selection we can say something about their evolution. In particular, we can say something about how complexity will arise in space. Complexity has increased on the Earth as a result of a handful of events, known as the major transitions in individuality. Major transitions occur when groups of individuals come together to form a new higher level of the individual, such as when single-celled organisms evolved into multicellular organisms. Both theory and empirical data suggest that extreme conditions are required for major transitions to occur. We suggest that major transitions are likely to be the route to complexity on other planets, and that we should expect them to have been favoured by similarly restrictive conditions. Thus, we can make specific predictions about the biological makeup of complex aliens.

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Cosmological natural selection and the purpose of the universe

Gardner

Conlon

2013

Complexity

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The cosmological natural selection (CNS) hypothesis holds that the fundamental constants of nature have been fine-tuned by an evolutionary process in which universes produce daughter universes via the formation of black holes. Here, we formulate the CNS hypothesis using standard mathematical tools of evolutionary biology. Specifically, we capture the dynamics of CNS using Price's equation, and we capture the adaptive purpose of the universe using an optimization program. We establish mathematical correspondences between the dynamics and optimization formalisms, confirming that CNS acts according to a formal design objective, with successive generations of universes appearing designed to produce black holes. V C 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Complexity 18: [48][49][50][51][52][53][54][55][56] 2013 Key Words: black hole; evolution; formal Darwinism; multiverse; Price's equation INTRODUCTION B etween distances of 10221 and 10 26 m, physical reality is accurately described by the Standard Model of particle physics and the KCDM cosmological model [1,2]. Together, these contain 30 input parameters [3], which are known to be constant across cosmological distances to within approximately one part in 100,000, with no strong evidence that they vary at all in time or space (e.g., see [4]). These include inter alia the strengths of the three fundamental forces, a SU(3) , a SU(2) , and a U(1) and the Yukawa couplings (masses) of the elementary particles, such as y e , y m , and y s . The precise numerical values of these constants determine much of the physics of our universe and pose a double conundrum for physicists and philosophers. First, the values have a high degree of arbitrariness: they are dimensionless parameters that range over eight orders of magnitude, for no known reason. Second, it is generally acknowledged that even rather small modifications to some of these values would lead to universes that are vastly less complex than our own (Ref. [3]; but see Ref.[5] for a contrary view).For example, the cosmological constant K-that is, the background energy density of the universe-is empirically shown to be approximately equal to the mass-energy density of one hydrogen atom per cubic meter [6,7]. However, quantum field theory implies the existence of calculable contributions to K that are 60 orders of magnitude larger than this observed value (for a detailed review, see Ref. [8]). Although such predicted values are theoretically natural, the corresponding universe would expand so quickly that there would appear to be no possibility of matter accumulating to form stars, galaxies, and life. In fact, galaxy formationwhich is probably necessary for the existence of lifeappears to require that K be within a few orders of magnitude of its observed value [9]. A second example is the neutron-proton mass difference. The neutron (mass 1.675 3 10 227 kg) is heavier than the proton (mass 1.673 3 10 227 kg) by 0.1%. A free neutron decays to a proton with a half-life of 886 s. If the mass difference were reversed, the proton woul...

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Capturing the superorganism: a formal theory of group adaptation

Cited by 270 publications

References 78 publications

The Relation between Kin and Multilevel Selection: An Approach Using Causal Graphs

The Relation between Kin and Multilevel Selection: An Approach Using Causal Graphs

Darwin's aliens

Cosmological natural selection and the purpose of the universe

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