The Evolution of Altruism (the Forum)

If evolution is a ‘struggle for existence’, why do we witness so much altruism in nature? From bacteria to baboons, the natural world is full of spectacular examples of organisms cooperating with one another. In the early 1960s, W. D. Hamilton changed the way we think about how such behaviour evolves, and his pioneering work kick-started a research programme now known as ‘social evolution theory’. Our panel of biologists and philosophers of biology will discuss the legacy of Hamilton’s ideas, and the evolution of altruism in microbes, insects, humans, and the cells of our own bodies.

Speakers
Jonathan Birch
Fellow, The Forum
Assistant Professor of Philosophy, LSE

Heikki Helanterä
Group Leader, Centre of Excellence in Biological Interactions, University of Helsinki

Hannah Rubin
Postdoctoral Researcher in Theoretical Philosophy, University of Groningen

Chair
Bryan Roberts
Assistant Professor of Philosophy, LSE

This event is free and open to all, but requires a ticket. Tickets will be available from 12 noon on Tuesday 6 February 2018.

Part of the LSE Festival | For full details see Ticket Information