Mathematical economics

Reciprocity (cultural anthropology)

Evolutionary biology

Biology

Territoriality

Epistemology

Prisoner's dilemma

Philosophy

Paleontology

Artificial intelligence

Psychology

Economics

Game theory

Ecology

Dilemma

Context (archaeology)

Computer science

Probabilistic logic

Social psychology

Science

Cooperation in organisms, whether bacteria or primates, has been a difficulty for evolutionary theory since Darwin. On the assumption that interactions between pairs of individuals occur on a probabilistic basis, a model is developed based on the concept of an evolutionarily stable strategy in the context of the Prisoner's Dilemma game. Deductions from the model, and the results of a computer tournament show how cooperation based on reciprocity can get started in an asocial world, can thrive while interacting with a wide range of other strategies, and can resist invasion once fully established. Potential applications include specific aspects of territoriality, mating, and disease.

The Evolution of Cooperation