Abstract

I examine the attempt of R. Paul Shaw and Yuwa Wong to construct a sociobiological model for the origins of intergroup hostilities in hominids. After delineating a number of general difficulties that attend such models and that affect the treatment offered by Shaw and Wong, I argue that their mathematical claims rest on conflating two different scenarios. When the appropriate distinctions are made, it is highly unclear that the sociobiological extension of standard cost—benefit models of warfare offers any new insights.

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