David Sloan Wilson

David Sloan Wilson ( born 1949 in Norwalk, Connecticut) is an American evolutionary biologist.

Personal

David Sloan Wilson's father is the author Sloan Wilson. Wilson graduated in 1975 from Michigan State University and is now a professor at Binghamton University. He is married, has two daughters and lives in New York. Wilson is an atheist, writes in his own words, however, about religion with sympathy for the subject matter.

Work

David Sloan Wilson is a prominent proponent of group selection ( in a modern variant) in the theory of evolution. Together with the philosopher Elliott Sober he introduced in 1999 the so-called multilevel selection theory before, which includes the more common approach of selection at the level of genes and the selection at the level of individuals and provides as equal elements in addition to the group selection. In this theory, the genes remain while the " medium" through which are transmitted characteristics from generation to generation, the individuals as well as groups are, however, presented as a "vehicle " of these genes " arenas " in which these genes may interact with each other. Depending on the arena, which is important in a situation different genes can have maximum fitness in the overall picture. Here coined by Wilson concept of " trait -group" ( " group that is defined by certain properties " ) is central. A trait -group is an often only temporary group whose members share due to their properties of a common destiny. In contrast, for example, would be a family or a nation, when / where the genetic relationship ensures the existence of group permanently. Mathematically, the multilevel selection theory justified by the Price equation. In social psychology it has a correspondence with the theory of social identity in some respects. The relationship with the experiments of Robert Axelrod of the evolution of cooperation in game theory is somewhat complicated, as these depending on your perspective as an individual- selectionist counter theory ( Axelrod and Hamilton ) and as a member of the group theory (Wilson, Rapoport ) can be interpreted. Within evolutionary biology represents, among others, Richard Dawkins, with the emphasis on the genes a decidedly different direction. As Dawkins, however, has frequently and vigorously argued publicly against creationism and Wilson.

An application of multilevel selection theory Wilson published in 2002, indicated by the history of the religions of the world as natural selection at the group level selection. Successful religious communities therefore have a secular benefit for the group as a whole (which mind you is something completely different than a benefit for some individuals at the head of the group). As long as the benefits outweigh the sacrifices that must individually apply each member, the community may persist stable despite these sacrifices and even more successfully develop as the environment. This mechanism is exemplified, among other early Christianity, Calvinism in Geneva and the water temple system in Bali.