Character Quote by Edward O. Wilson
““When an individual is cooperative and altruistic, this reduces his advantage in competition to a comparable degree with other members but increases the survival and reproduction rate of the group as a whole. In a nutshell, individual selection favors what we call sin and group selection favors virtue. The result is the internal conflict of conscience that afflicts all but psychopaths, estimated fortunately to make up only 1 to 4 percent of the population.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Sociobiology: The New Synthesis, 1975
Cooperation helps groups thrive but can lower individual competitive edge; individual selection rewards selfishness while group selection rewards virtue, creating moral tension.
In simple terms: Helping others benefits the group but may hurt personal gain.
Key Takeaway
Balance self‑interest with group good.
Themes
morality
evolution
group dynamics
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- team projects
- family decisions
- community volunteering
- workplace ethics
Key Concepts
selfishness
altruism
selection theory
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you reconcile personal ambition with collective welfare?
- When does group loyalty become harmful?
A Different Perspective
Group benefits can be undermined if too many act selfishly.
![“[E]very major religion today is a winner in the Darwinian struggle waged among cultures, and none ever flourished by tolerating its rivals.” quote by Edward O. Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7bf/edward-o-wilson-12084_darwinian_e-very-major-religion-today-is-a-winner_168589.jpg)
