Selfish genes
There is an immediate and major problem with a suggestion that religious behaviour
might have evolved. This problem can be summed up by saying, ‘Group-
If an individual has altruistic genes then the extra burden of being altruistic will
mean that other more selfish individuals will leave behind more of their selfish
genes. The altruistic genes do not spread -
Thus group-
Under the ‘default hypothesis’ this problem is avoided. Individuals are born with the selfish default mode in operation. They look after themselves as a top priority. They will only switch to group mode if sufficiently strong group stimuli are present.
The role of justice
Selfish individuals who deceptively display behaviour which allows group membership but who do not cooperate with the group will sometimes succeed. However, there is increasing evidence that humans (and other primates) have a strong, innate sense of justice that sees them act quickly to eliminate such cheats and traitors.
This capacity to exact justice, which is only possible with a brain that is capable of a high degree of social modelling, tips the balance in favour of the altruists rather than the selfish individuals. The genes that permit conditional altruism will be reproduced.
Game theory
I would suggest that the default hypothesis provides an evolutionary stable strategy.
It prevents the ‘player’ from displaying inappropriate, losing, behaviour. If the
individual is born into a chaotic, non-
Updated 8/1/2010