George Williams We Are Naturally Selfish Summary

In the article “ We Are Naturally Selfish”, by George C. Williams, Williams claims that we as humans are naturally selfish. This is especially true in terms of genes, because if our genetics were not selfish then we would not be here. Williams states that people can win this genetics contest by mainly surviving to maturity and then competing successfully for the resources needed for their own reproduction. In all actuality though just because humans are selfish does not mean that we are completely incapable of being selfless. Williams states that it has been seen that individuals can and often do help others in gaining resources and avoiding any losses or damages. The most obvious and common example is parents caring for their offspring. Parents do this to ensure the successful continuation of their genes.

In all reproductions each offspring has half of both parents genes.

With that being said Williams goes on to state that from a parent’s point of view, their child is genetically half as important as itself and the offspring’s reproduction is only hal as important as its own, in terms of the continuation of their genes. Williams states that it may be perceived as genetic selfishness of a person to be helpful to their relatives and not just their offspring because their share a set of genes. This kind of behavior stems from kin selection, which is natural selection for the adaptive use of cues that indicate the degrees and probability of relationships. The is the reason as to why an individual favors relatives over non relatives and close relatives as opposed to distant relatives. Williams states that kin selection is one of the factors that causes selfless like behavior amongst humans. But in all reality we are in fact selfish individuals whose main concern is to continue the succession of our

genetics.

In the article “ We Are Not Naturally Selfish” by Frans B. M. de Waal, Waal states that he has found so much evidence of animals caring for each other and responding to each others distress that he is thoroughly convinced that survival depends not only on an individual's strength but also cooperation and kindness. Waal backs up his claim by giving the example of chimpanzees, when a bystander approaches the victim of an attack, the other chimpanzees gently wrap their arms around the victim’s shoulder. Despite this humans and animals alike are constantly depicted as total egoist. The theoretical reasoning be that all actions are to support actor’s own interest.

But how can one be called selfish when its actions has evolved for their own good? An animal can only see the immediate consequences of their actions and even then these consequences are not always clear to them. For example there is no evidence that a spider has any actual idea what webs are for. One’s behavior says nothing to their actual underlying motives. The true meaning of selfishness is the intention to serve oneself with the knowledge of what one stands to gain for said behavior. Waal gives the example of a vine that overgrows a tree but cannot be considered selfish because it lacks any intention and knowledge. He goes on to say that to call all behavior selfish is like describing all life on earth as converted sun energy. While both statements may be true they offer little help in explaining the diversity seen around us.

I agree with Frans B. M. de Waal, in the fact we are not actually all born selfish with our main concern being to continue the succession of our genetics. Its hard to believe that we are naturally selfish when you witness parents caring for their children or chimpanzees that console a victim of an attack. I believe that it is in human nature to be selfless and help other in their time of needs because it has been seen time and time again in humans and animals as well. The notation that we as humans are naturally selfish is hard to prove and believe when, we humans have been know to help others when they were in need of resources and in danger.