The Relation between Kin and Multilevel Selection: An Approach Using Causal Graphs

Abstract

Kin selection and multilevel selection are alternative approaches for studying the evolution of social behaviour, the relation between which has long been a source of controversy. Many recent theorists regard the two approaches as ultimately equivalent, on the grounds that gene frequency change can be correctly expressed using either. However, this shows only that the two are formally equivalent, not that they offer equally good causal representations of the evolutionary process. This article articulates the notion of an ‘adequate causal representation’ using causal graphs, and then seeks to identify circumstances under which kin and multilevel selection do and do not satisfy the test of causal adequacy. 1 Introduction2 The KS and MLS Approaches 2.1 The MLS decomposition 2.2 The KS decomposition3 Equivalence and Causality4 Two Problem Cases 4.1 The non-social trait case 4.2 Genotypic selection with meiotic drive5 Casual Adequacy: A Graphical Approach 5.1 The basic idea 5.2 Graphs with individual and group variables 5.3 Cases where KS is causally adequate 5.4 Cases where MLS is causally adequate6 Discussion 6.1 Relation to previous work

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