"Michael Ragland"  wrote in message
news:cjptn0$28fu$1{at}darwin.ediacara.org... 
... 
Reason: 
This oscillation between selfish and altruistic populations continues
until another permutation of traits creates a balance which allows the
two purposes to co-exist without diminishing each other. 

Response: 
I don't think such a permutation of traits has occured. Do you? 

Reason:
I believe such oscillations eventually end. Either by the extinction of
the species, or when another trait appears that breaks the cycle.
Perhaps in our own species, the cycle is partly broken by the
predisposition for ethical behavior in most of us. I believe our desire
to punish anti-social behavior and remove the offenders from society,
comes from a partly genetic and not entirely cultural origin. 

Response:
Fair enough. Thanks for answering.

"It's uncertain whether intelligence has any long term survival value.
Bacteria do quite well without it."
 Stephen Hawking
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