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    Home/Original/inverse
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    Inverse View

    It is not the case that Hamilton's coefficient of relationship should be replaced with a more general correlation coefficient.

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    Reasons For

    2 perspectives
    Reason for 1 of 2
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    • 1.Hamilton's r is not merely a kinship measure but tracks the probability of identity by descent, which has precise causal-mechanistic grounding in Mendelian genetics.
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    • 2.A generalized correlation coefficient conflates statistical association with the genealogical causation required to explain why gene frequencies change across generations.
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    • 3.Replacing causal-mechanistic coefficients with purely statistical ones risks rendering kin selection explanations descriptively adequate but causally uninformative, as Sober and Steel argue regarding correlation-based models.
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    Reason for 2 of 2
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    • 1.Price's generalization, which grounds the correlation-coefficient approach, applies equally to any trait including arbitrary or maladaptive ones, undermining its explanatory specificity for altruism.
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    • 2.If the correlation coefficient abstracts away from kinship, it loses the connection to inclusive fitness theory that gives Hamilton's Rule its predictive and explanatory bite in real biological populations.
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    Reasons Against

    1 perspective
    Reason against
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    • 1.The coefficient of relationship only captures kinship-based gene sharing.
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    • 2.A more general correlation coefficient reflects the probability that altruist and recipient share genes, whether because of kinship or not.
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    • 3.What is necessary for altruism to evolve is the correlation between altruist and recipient sharing genes, however it is brought about.
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