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Integrating evolutionary and social science approaches to the family

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 April 2010

Donald Cox
Donald Cox
Affiliation:
Department of Economics, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467. donald.cox@bc.eduhttp://www2.bc.edu/~coxdo/
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Abstract

Recent work on the evolution of utility has brought the blunt instrument of kin selection closer to the cluttered scalpel kit of social science. The concept of diminishing marginal utility can help streamline the latter. Reconciling ultimate causes with proximate inclinations, however, will be easier for the case of assistance from grandparents than assistance to them.

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Information
Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 33 , Issue 1 , February 2010 , pp. 20 - 21
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2010

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