In the third chapter of his book “The Evolution of the Social Contract” Brian Skyrms discusses the evolution of mutual aid. In this post we will consider Skyrms’ use of both decision theory as well as evolutionary game theory to discuss how it is that it is possible for a strategy which sacrifices individual rational choice in favor of the common good. It must be remembered that we are here talking about the differential reproduction of strategies, not actual entities who engage in such strategies; we are discussing cultural evolution more than we are biological evolution. (more…)
