Here are some Gene Expression posts on group selection. It is of course as Eliezer said, an empirical matter, but given the variation within populations compared to that between populations, it doesn’t seem especially likely.
I’ve heard that E.O. Wilson is trying to wreck the consensus on group selection, but I don’t know what he’s found. Trivers has pointed out also that if group selectionism is important, it doesn’t lead to aesthetically pleasing stuff either. It would likely cause bigotry between groups that care a lot for their in-group but not for their out-group.
Here are some Gene Expression posts on group selection. It is of course as Eliezer said, an empirical matter, but given the variation within populations compared to that between populations, it doesn’t seem especially likely.
Group Selection (oh no not again!) Defining Group Selection: Price’s Equation Group selection, the paramters Group Selection can work, just… (this features a model from Henry Harpending that would result in group selection, but the assumptions made may not be probable)
I’ve heard that E.O. Wilson is trying to wreck the consensus on group selection, but I don’t know what he’s found. Trivers has pointed out also that if group selectionism is important, it doesn’t lead to aesthetically pleasing stuff either. It would likely cause bigotry between groups that care a lot for their in-group but not for their out-group.