Individual fitness doesn't help further the species, it helps further your genes. You may die an early, painful death - but if, beforehand, you impregnate twice the number of females than the average male moose does in their lifetime: your genes win. The idea of "for the benefit of the species" was once popular but is now known to be false. Co-operation and altruism between animals can *mostly* be traced to ultimately selfish motivations that benefit an individual's genes.
Slashdot Mirror
Individual fitness doesn't help further the species, it helps further your genes. You may die an early, painful death - but if, beforehand, you impregnate twice the number of females than the average male moose does in their lifetime: your genes win. The idea of "for the benefit of the species" was once popular but is now known to be false. Co-operation and altruism between animals can *mostly* be traced to ultimately selfish motivations that benefit an individual's genes.