The ant and the peacock : altruism and sexual selection from Darwin to today
Cronin named her book after two organisms that gave Charles Darwin some difficult moments as he struggled with his theory of natural selection. The vast majority of ants are sterile workers, never reproducing, each always ready to engage in potential sacrifice of self for colony. How can natural selection, a theory based on self-preservation, explain the curious altruism of the ant? The peacock carries with it an immense and gaudy tail, far more than would seem a necessity for survival. If anything, this ornamentation reduces survival potential, another problem for such a utilitarian theory as natural selection. Darwin developed evolutionary insights into both altruism and sexual ornamentation, and Cronin has skillfully traced Darwin's explanations from 1859 to the present. The book is divided into three parts: a historical introduction to Darwinism, a discussion of sexual selection, and a discussion of altruism and kin selection. The text is particularly strong in its use of historical context, including a liberal sprinkling of quotations. Complex ideas are well explained in a manner somewhat reminiscent of Richard Dawkins's style, and his influence on Cronin is felt throughout the book. Anyone seriously interested in Darwinism, sexual selection, and altruism should read this book. Strongly recommended. General; undergraduate; graduate. J.C. Kricher; Wheaton College (MA)--Choice Review
Print Book, English, 1991
Press Syndicate of the University of Cambridge, Cambridge, 1991
xiv, 490 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm
9780521329378, 9780521457651, 052132937X, 0521457653
23144516
Foreword; Preface; Part I. Darwinism, Its Rivals and Its Renegades: 1. Walking archives; 2. A world without Darwin; 3. Darwinism old and new; Part II. The Peacock: 4. The sting in the peacock's tail; 5. Nothing but natural selection?; 6. Can females shape males?; 7. Do sensible females prefer sexy males?; 8. 'Until careful experiments are made …'; 9. Ghosts of Darwinism surpassed; Part III. The Ant: 10. Altruism now; 11. Altruism then; 12. The social insects: kind kin; 13. Make dove, not war: conventional forces; 14. Human altruism: a natural kind?; 15. Breeding between the lines; Epilogue; Notes on the letters of Darwin and Wallace; Bibliography; Index.