Evolution Quote by Edward O. Wilson
““an iron rule exists in genetic social evolution. It is that selfish individuals beat altruistic individuals, while groups of altruists beat groups of selfish individuals.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Sociobiology: The New Synthesis, 1975
Selfish behavior dominates individuals, but cooperative groups outcompete selfish ones overall.
In simple terms: Selfishness wins for individuals; cooperation wins for groups.
Key Takeaway
Promote group cooperation over individual selfishness.
Themes
evolution
cooperation
selfishness
group dynamics
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- business teams
- environmental conservation
- public policy
- community projects
Key Concepts
game theory
social biology
altruism
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we incentivize individuals to act for the group's benefit?
- What structures prevent free‑riding in cooperative groups?
A Different Perspective
Groups may still suffer from free‑riders despite overall cooperation.
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