{"product_id":"eusociality-peter-mersch-9798284052495","title":"Eusociality: Why Honey Bees Do Not Evolve by Kin Selection","description":"\u003ci\u003eRicardo's theory of comparative advantage\u003c\/i\u003e is one of the most fundamental insights in economics. It explains under which conditions division of labor is mutually beneficial, independent of gains from specialization or economies of scale. For this reason, it is sometimes called the \u003ci\u003elaw of association\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003cbr\u003eIn this book, Ricardo's theorem is first translated into a more intuitive, competence-based formulation grounded in the fundamental assumption of the \u003ci\u003eCompetence-based Theory of Evolution\u003c\/i\u003e. This reformulation makes the theorem significantly easier to generalize and apply beyond the classic two-actor, two-good case.\u003cbr\u003eThe competence-based version of Ricardo's theorem is then applied to the eusocial organization of insect colonies. The results align with biological observation but differ markedly from the explanations offered by established evolutionary biology, particularly inclusive fitness theory (kin selection). The analysis suggests that the latter cannot adequately account for the evolution and stability of eusocial systems. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003eFranz Josef Radermacher\u003c\/b\u003e, Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science, Member of the Club of Rome on \u003ci\u003eCompetence-based Theory of Evolution\u003c\/i\u003e: \u003cbr\u003e\"This is an outstanding work. It offers a comprehensive exploration of the concept of evolution, encompassing general superorganisms, including businesses, states, and all of humanity - a theme that has always been of particular importance to me.\" \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003eGerhard Vollmer\u003c\/b\u003e, Professor of Physics and Philosophy, Co-Founder of Evolutionary Epistemology on \u003ci\u003eCompetence-based Theory of Evolution\u003c\/i\u003e: \u003cbr\u003e\"It seems to me that this is the best generalization of the concept of evolution so far.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Peter Mersch\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9798284052495\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Independently Published\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 05\/15\/2025\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 232\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.70lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.00h x 6.00w x 0.49d","brand":"Peter Mersch","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":48801021722879,"sku":"9798284052495","price":21.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/eusociality-peter-mersch-9798284052495","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}