The Development and Function of Nepotism

摘要: Each year since 1904, the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission has presented a medal and financial award to civilians who voluntarily risked their own lives save another person’s. The came about because, according its founder, Andrew Carnegie, “I do not expect stimulate or create heroism by this fund, knowing well that heroic action is impulsive; but I believe that, if hero injured in his bold attempt serve fellows, he those dependent upon him should suffer pecuniarily” ([Carnegie, 2000]). One type of ineligible for an saves member her immediate family. Why would exclude from list deserving heroes close genetic relative? suggest reason quite straightforward: we humans take granted our kin will come aid times need; self-sacrifice relative like child, sibling, niece part “nature” thus does merit pecuniary reward ([Burnstein, Crandall, & Kitayama, 1994]). Still, why be so? my aims chapter explain ubiquitous deeply ingrained nature nepotism permeates human nonhuman social relationships. My analysis may help provide deeper biological understanding saving friend stranger might reward, whereas “natural” therefore