Cooperation

Cooperation is a joint operation or action between individuals, groups, animals, etc. to achieve a common goal. It is the opposite of competition, where each party tries to stay ahead of the opponent. Evolutionary systems are based on the evolution of selfish individuals. Direct or indirect reciprocity is the main reason for altruism and selfless behavior in evolutionary systems:

• direct reciprocity (agent <-> agent)
• indirect reciprocity (agent <-> group)
• kin selection (gene <-> gene)
• group selection (gene <-> meme)

Agents may help others because they expect help in return (direct reciprocity). Or they help others because they expect help from the group by improving their image (indirect reciprocity). Organisms may help other organisms because they are related and share common genes (kin selection), or because they share a common culture (group selection).

Links

• Wikipedia entry for Competition and Survival of the fittest