Altruism at first was a puzzle to evolutionary biologists because
A) it should be more common in nature because it increases the fitness of recipients.
B) it should be more common in nature because it increases the fitness of species.
C) it should not be common in nature because it decreases the fitness of actors.
D) it should not be common in nature because it decreases the fitness of species.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Altruism involves an individual sacrificing their own fitness for the benefit of others. From an evolutionary perspective, this is puzzling because it goes against the principle of natural selection, which favors traits that increase an individual's own fitness. Therefore, altruism should not be common in nature because it decreases the fitness of the individual who is acting altruistically.

Altruism at First Was a Puzzle to Evolutionary Biologists Because