ABSTRACT
Evolutionary models of human behavior conventionally use genetic replication as the currency by which to assess fitness. Recent developments in evolutionary theory have also led to focusing on the “gene’s-eye” view of the organism, whereby individual genes are considered the unit on which natural selection ultimately acts via phenotype. However, organisms can also transmit nongenetic information to future generations. Whereas genomes are dismantled between each successive generation, such that successive descendants contain progressively fewer of the original ancestor’s genes, nongenetic information need not degrade over time in the same way. We argue that nongenetic information is more successful than genetic information
at conveying the uniqueness of each human. We suggest that individuals can transmit both their genes and their reputation to future generations, such that they can maximize fitness in both genetic and nongenetic currencies. We also consider the significance of the human tendency to project the “soul” into the future. This approach sees humans investing in competing ends, often to the detriment of the maximization of genetic fitness. Focusing on the phenomenon of personal identity allows biologists to address agency and purposive behavior, issues that have traditionally been difficult to incorporate into evolutionary biological approaches to human behavior.
