Multilevel Selection

'''Multilevel selection''' describes the interaction of multiple evolutionary processes on different scales.
It has been proposed by David Sloan Wilson and Edward O. Wilson (*).
The environment of an organism in the real world is complex: one can distinguish between the level 
of the genes, cells, individuals or organisms, groups, species, populations and societies. The fitness of
an individual is a result of the particular fitness to survive and interact on all these levels.

The concept of [[Natural Selection|natural selection]] can be meaningful 
applied to different levels:

* Level of the gene: selection between genes within an individual
* Level of the group: selection between individuals within a group
* Level of the population: selection between groups within a population

These levels are nested and therefore related to each other.
Usually different evolutionary systems are not related 
to each other (for example cosmic/stellar 
evolution and biological evolution). They can
influence each other only if they share a
comon phenotype, for example a group of agents.

For an evolutionary process we need an inheritable
trait and a carrier in form of a code. Otherwise
it makes no sense to speak of selection.
If selection acts on groups, then they must be 
suitable 'vehicles' for selection. They must be able
to pass their traits, habits, behavior - in form of 
memes, for instance through learning. New group
members have to learn the group behavior in the process
of group socialization.


== Links ==

* American Scientist articles from David Sloan Wilson and Edward O. Wilson (*) [http://www.americanscientist.org/issues/feature/evolution-for-the-good-of-the-group Evolution for the "Good of the Group"]

[[Category:Basic Principles]] [[Category:Evolutionary Principles]]