The origin of cooperation

Abstract

<jats:title>Significance</jats:title> <jats:p>We develop a mathematical theory of how natural selection operates in the presence of interaction between replicating units. Our results show that with interaction, natural selection does more than seek to selfishly maximize fecundity. It also seeks to minimize correlation of fecundity between replicating units. We argue that correlation is a mechanism by which evolution can select for cooperation. This mechanism is distinct from standard biological explanations like kin selection, group selection, and reciprocity, and relies only on natural selection, and without recourse to notions of evolutionary stability.</jats:p>