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Human ultrasociality and the invisible hand: foundational developments in evolutionary science alter a foundational concept in economics

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  • David Wilson
  • John Gowdy

Abstract

Advances in the study of social behavior require a revision in the economic concept of the invisible hand, which states that self-interested behavior leads to well-functioning societies without individuals having the welfare of the society in mind. Evolutionary theory shows that self-interest does not robustly benefit the common good because behaviors that are “for the good of the group” seldom maximize relative fitness within the group. The evolution of group-level functional organization requires a process of group-level selection. Species that have become highly adaptive at the group level are called ultrasocial. The idea that an invisible hand leads to social harmony is valid primarily for ultrasocial species, where selection at the group level results in individual-level behaviors that produce group-beneficial outcomes. Individuals do not necessarily have the welfare of the group in mind, but neither do their behaviors or underlying proximate mechanisms resemble the economic concept of self-interest. Evolutionary science therefore provides a valid concept of the invisible hand, but one that is different from the received version, with far-reaching implications for economics, politics, and public policy. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media New York 2015

Suggested Citation

  • David Wilson & John Gowdy, 2015. "Human ultrasociality and the invisible hand: foundational developments in evolutionary science alter a foundational concept in economics," Journal of Bioeconomics, Springer, vol. 17(1), pages 37-52, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbioec:v:17:y:2015:i:1:p:37-52
    DOI: 10.1007/s10818-014-9192-x
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    3. Blair Fix, 2022. "Economic development and the death of the free market," Evolutionary and Institutional Economics Review, Springer, vol. 19(1), pages 1-46, April.
    4. David Sloan Wilson & Robert Kadar & Steve Roth, 2015. "Hayek Deserves a New Paradigm, Not Old Ideological Categories: Response to Searles," Econ Journal Watch, Econ Journal Watch, vol. 12(2), pages 137–141-1, May.
    5. Yuichi Tei & Gheorghe Savoiu, 2018. "From Bioeconomics to Bioeconopysis in the Context of (Bio)Diversity and Modern Morality," The AMFITEATRU ECONOMIC journal, Academy of Economic Studies - Bucharest, Romania, vol. 20(49), pages 754-754, August.
    6. Cesaratto, Sergio, 2023. "Schools of Athens: Surplus Approach, Marxism and Institutions," Centro Sraffa Working Papers CSWP62, Centro di Ricerche e Documentazione "Piero Sraffa".
    7. Liu, Jieling & Gatzweiler, Franz W. & Kumar, Manasi, 2021. "An evolutionary complex systems perspective on urban health," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 75(C).
    8. Jon D. Wisman, 2020. "A Brief Sketch of the Economic Causes of War and Peace," Working Papers 2020-01, American University, Department of Economics.
    9. Jennifer Fewell, 2015. "Social Biomimicry: what do ants and bees tell us about organization in the natural world?," Journal of Bioeconomics, Springer, vol. 17(3), pages 207-216, October.
    10. Harrison Searles, 2015. "The Welfare State and Moral Sentiments: A Smith-Hayek Critique of the Evolutionary Left," Econ Journal Watch, Econ Journal Watch, vol. 12(2), pages 114–136-1, May.
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    13. Harwick, Cameron, 2018. "Money and its institutional substitutes: the role of exchange institutions in human cooperation," Journal of Institutional Economics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 14(4), pages 689-714, August.

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