Paradoxical Altruism

One of the major topics in the book The Selfish Gene is how living organism are not honest in a way. this book is a paradox, it contradicts nature and societies' behaviors. He says people and animals are altruistic, but then contradicts that saying that every generous act humans or animals do is to get something in return. Some of the terms he uses to describe and support his theories are:

Benefits of a selfish individual: 

1. Reciprocal altruism:

"you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours"(166)

What Dawkins means by this is that animals have altruistic behaviors when they benefit their selves from it. This theory kind of resembles hypocrisy because people act a certain way not because they want to but because they find it necessary for their well being. An example of this behavior seen in our society today is the social pyramid. Some people are so desperate of becoming "popular", which is ironic because popularity doesn't mean you have true friends. Generally being popular is having fake people around you who are with you for convenience-selfish matters. Ok.. Back to the point, what i mean by this is people are trying to "succeed" socially and to achieve this they do everything at their reach like for example (cough) acting in an altruistic way (cough).  

2. Geometry for the selfish herd: 

"herd of selfish individuals"

This were the papers where W.D. Hamilton in which he stated his theory about how animals stick in with their herds to get a benefit from it. For example when a pack of lions or hyenas go hunting it is better to go in a group because the prey they catch is bigger and they are nor vulnerable to other dangers because they are in groups. This also happens in society, some people are afraid or feel vulnerable when they are alone. An example of a situation like this is when a person is being bullied. Bullies tend to attack their victims when they are alone so when their victims are in groups they don't attack them because the victim has its group to defend him/her.

The next three strategies are part of the "prisoners dilemma" whereas the temptation of having the chance to succeed out of the failure of someone else is greater than simply being equally successful or being a failure. These behaviors are unconscious and are controlled by our genes according to Maynard Smith.

3. Sucker:

suckers are those who  are willing to please everyone who is in need. Usually in real life the suckers don't succeed, they give so much without receiving that they end up with nothing. The problem is not when there are several suckers, but when there are suckers, cheaters and grudgers. The world is full of competition and everyday we see people taking advantage of the weaknesses of others. 

4. Grudger: 

Grudgers are those who keep resentment against the cheaters. They may be suckers and they give something away expecting to get something  in return, but instead they are cheated, left with nothing but bitterness. This happens many times in real life, especially in business. Some people are not to trust and so once they show you they are not reliable you immediately become bitter and stop doing businesses with those who show you they are not honest or trustworthy. Society becomes a paranoid and individualistic, since no one can trust each other.

5. Cheater: 

Cheaters receive from the suckers but don't give in return for their altruistic behavior. Usually the cheaters have a greater opportunity of succeeding in life and this is why each time more suckers and more people want to be just like the cheaters. They receive everything they want and don't have to give anything aways.