Fitness Optimizing Theory Can be Misleading when Applied to Human Behavior

Abstract

The mathematical approach to understand the genetic impact on human behavior, e.g., using game theory, tends to assume that evolution creates optimal fitness. However, evolution does not necessarily create optimal behavioral patterns, particularly not when the environment is rapidly changing. Consequently some of the inferences based on game theory are misleading. More specifically, certain aspects of current human behavior may be better understood in terms of emotions and motivational systems. The present text is an attempt to discuss possible pitfalls of fitness optimalisation theory by looking at patterns of behavior, such as cooperativity, sex and art, where this theory alone may not give satisfactory explanations.