The Theory of Cooperation

11-13 August 2011 - CLOSED

Organizers:

Prof. M. Taborsky and Dr. S. van Doorn (University of Bern)

Invited speakers

Prof. Dr. Athena Aktipis, University of Arizona, USA
Dr. Marco Archetti, University of Basel, Switzerland
Prof. Dr. Zoltan Barta, University of Debrecen, Hungary
Prof. Dr. Tim Clutton-Brock, University of Cambridge, UK
Prof. Dr. Michael Doebeli, University of British Columbia, Canada
Prof. Dr. Jeff Fletcher, Portland State University, USA
Dr. Sander van Doorn, University of Bern, Switzerland
Prof. Dr. Tom Wenseleers, University of Leuven, Belgium

Summary

Cooperation in the sense of altruistic behaviour, i.e., with beneficial effects to recipients at immediate costs to the donor, is mainly explained by two evolutionary concepts: kin selection and reciprocity. Recent theoretical models have shown, however, that despite apparent radical differences, these concepts are based on closely related mechanisms. The probability to gain future benefits from a helpful act depends on non-random population structure. Assortment between individuals exhibiting different behaviours in a population is thought to be the major mechanism generating evolutionarily stable levels of cooperation. Population viscosity either generates kin structure by common descent, or non-random interactions by correlations between individuals in time and space. The aim of this workshop is to discuss the underlying processes generating evolutionarily stable cooperation by kin selection and reciprocity, and in particular, to unravel the commonality and distinction of these mechanisms.

The workshop will be structured in the same way in which we have organized previous CUSO meetings, as this concept proved to be very successful: a combination of plenary talks of invited speakers with work performed in small groups in which participants will deal with a particular theme together with an invited speaker. The results of these group efforts will be presented in a plenary session where all participants will have a chance to discuss the ensuing conclusions.

Hotel Crea at Adelboden

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