It is the survival of the species which determines which species survive, i.e. Some individuals in the species may be worse off by some genetic trait, such as self sacrifice to save others, yet the species as a whole will be more likely to survive and thus that gene will be more likely to survive.Kwayera said:Woah, wait. It's never 'survival of the species'. Animals act for their own benefit (or rather the benefit of the genes), not for the 'species'; there may be species-level benefits of individual action, but we're essentially the only animal that can comprehend the concept of 'for the species' (and generally not very well).
For instance take mothers protecting their young or people from a tribe, or family (who are likely to share a lot of common dna) protecting each other.
I think you essentially agree with me, but seem to think I was claiming species know that they are helping out other members of their species... I don't believe this to be the case.
http://www.boston.com/news/science/...on_shifts_his_position_on_altruism_in_nature/