Whenever evolution ‘constructs’ a new level of organization, cooperation is involved. The very origin of life, the emergence of the first cell, the rise of multi-cellular organisms, and the advent of human language are all based on cooperation. A higher level of organization emerges, whenever the competing units on the lower level begin to cooperate. Therefore, we propose that cooperation is a third fundamental principle of evolutionary dynamics besides mutation and selection. Evolution occurs in populations of reproducing individuals. Inaccurate reproduction can lead to mutation. Mutation can lead to selection. Selection can lead to cooperation.
The analysis that follows actually uses game theory:
In the Prisoner’s Dilemma, defectors dominate cooperators unless a mechanism for the evolution of cooperation is at work. We will discuss five mechanisms for the evolution of cooperation: direct reciprocity, indirect reciprocity, kin selection, group selection, and network reciprocity (or graph selection).
Novak co-authored a paper called “Transforming the dilemma”. I’d say it’s relevant:
The analysis that follows actually uses game theory: