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About this quote

What does it mean?
Altruistic behavior in individuals may stem from genes helping copies of themselves in other bodies.
In plain terms
Genes can drive us to help others if it helps their own copies.
What can you take from it?
Selfish genes can create outward altruism.

Where it applies

  • explaining kindness
  • studying behavior
  • evolutionary biology

Putting it to work

  • analyze motivations
  • study kin selection
  • reframe altruism

Questions to consider

  • Is true altruism possible?
  • How much is behavior genetic?

Another view

It reduces moral acts to genetic mechanics without addressing intent.

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