Social semantics: how useful has group selection been?

@article{citeulike:2295078, abstract = {Abstract In our social semantics review (J. Evol. Biol., 2007, 415-432), we discussed some of the misconceptions and sources of confusion associated with group selection. Wilson (2007, this issue) claims that we made three errors regarding group selection. Here, we aim to expand upon the relevant points from our review in order to refute this claim. The last 45 years of research provide clear evidence of the relative use of the kin and group selection approaches. Kin selection methodologies are more tractable, allowing the construction of models that can be applied more easily to specific biological examples, including those chosen by Wilson to illustrate the utility of the group selection approach. In contrast, the group selection approach is not only less useful, but also appears to frequently have negative consequences by fostering confusion that leads to wasted effort. More generally, kin selection theory allows the construction of a unified conceptual overview that can be applied across all taxa, whereas there is no formal theory of group selection.}, author = {West, S. A. and Griffin, A. S. and Gardner, A. }, citeulike-article-id = {2295078}, comment = {Reply to Wilson. I think they win.}, doi = {10.1111/j.1420-9101.2007.01458.x}, journal = {Journal of Evolutionary Biology}, keywords = {biology, evolution, philosophy, philsci, theory}, number = {1}, pages = {374--385}, posted-at = {2008-01-27 16:19:46}, priority = {0}, title = {Social semantics: how useful has group selection been?}, url = {http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1420-9101.2007.01458.x}, volume = {21}, year = {2008} }

TY - JOUR ID - citeulike:2295078 L3 - citeulike-article-id:2295078 TI - Social semantics: how useful has group selection been? JF - Journal of Evolutionary Biology VL - 21 IS - 1 SP - 374 EP - 385 N2 - Abstract In our social semantics review (J. Evol. Biol., 2007, 415-432), we discussed some of the misconceptions and sources of confusion associated with group selection. Wilson (2007, this issue) claims that we made three errors regarding group selection. Here, we aim to expand upon the relevant points from our review in order to refute this claim. The last 45 years of research provide clear evidence of the relative use of the kin and group selection approaches. Kin selection methodologies are more tractable, allowing the construction of models that can be applied more easily to specific biological examples, including those chosen by Wilson to illustrate the utility of the group selection approach. In contrast, the group selection approach is not only less useful, but also appears to frequently have negative consequences by fostering confusion that leads to wasted effort. More generally, kin selection theory allows the construction of a unified conceptual overview that can be applied across all taxa, whereas there is no formal theory of group selection. KW - biology KW - evolution KW - philosophy KW - philsci KW - theory N1 - Reply to Wilson. I think they win. AU - West, SA AU - Griffin, AS AU - Gardner, A PY - 2008/// UR - http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1420-9101.2007.01458.x ER -