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Chapter 7: ψ-Recursion in Inclusive Fitness Models — The Calculus of Extended Self

The Mathematics of Nested Identity​

Who benefits when you benefit your brother's daughter's son? The question seems complex until we recognize that "you," "brother," "daughter," and "son" are temporary localizations of a continuous ψ-field. Inclusive fitness is not about adding up fractions but about tracing the recursive loops of consciousness through genetic space.

From ψ = ψ(ψ), we now derive the complete calculus of inclusive fitness, revealing how recursion creates ever-widening circles of self-recognition.

7.1 The Recursive Structure of Relatedness​

Definition 7.1 (Recursive Relatedness): rij=ψr(rik,rkj)r_{ij} = \psi_r(r_{ik}, r_{kj})

Relatedness between ii and jj through intermediate kk follows: rij=∑paths∏edgesredger_{ij} = \sum_{\text{paths}} \prod_{\text{edges}} r_{\text{edge}}

Theorem 7.1 (Path Integration): For any genealogical network: rij=∫Pije−λL(p)Dpr_{ij} = \int_{\mathcal{P}_{ij}} e^{-\lambda L(p)} \mathcal{D}p

where Pij\mathcal{P}_{ij} is the space of paths from ii to jj and L(p)L(p) is path length.

Proof: Each meiotic division multiplies relatedness by 1/2, giving e−ln⁡2⋅n=(1/2)ne^{-\ln 2 \cdot n} = (1/2)^n. Path integration sums over all possible genealogical routes. ∎

7.2 The Operator Formalism​

Definition 7.2 (Kinship Operator): K^=∑i,jrij∣i⟩⟨j∣\hat{K} = \sum_{i,j} r_{ij} |i\rangle\langle j|

This operator acts on the population state to compute inclusive effects.

Theorem 7.2 (Inclusive Fitness as Eigenvalue): Optimal strategies are eigenvectors of K^\hat{K}: K^∣ψstrategy⟩=λ∣ψstrategy⟩\hat{K}|\psi_{\text{strategy}}\rangle = \lambda|\psi_{\text{strategy}}\rangle

The dominant eigenvalue λmax⁡\lambda_{\max} determines evolutionary success.

7.3 Multi-Generation Recursion​

Definition 7.3 (Generational Propagator): Ψ(t+1)=G^[Ψ(t)]\Psi(t+1) = \hat{G}[\Psi(t)]

where: G^=S^∘R^∘M^\hat{G} = \hat{S} \circ \hat{R} \circ \hat{M}

  • S^\hat{S} = survival operator
  • R^\hat{R} = reproduction operator
  • M^\hat{M} = mutation operator

Theorem 7.3 (Long-Term Dynamics): Ψ(t)=G^t[Ψ(0)]→t→∞∑icieλit∣ψi⟩\Psi(t) = \hat{G}^t[\Psi(0)] \xrightarrow{t \to \infty} \sum_i c_i e^{\lambda_i t}|\psi_i\rangle

The population converges to eigenmodes of the generational propagator.

7.4 Nonlinear Inclusive Fitness​

Definition 7.4 (Nonlinear Benefits): When benefits combine nonlinearly: Btotal=f(∑iai)≠∑if(ai)B_{\text{total}} = f\left(\sum_i a_i\right) \neq \sum_i f(a_i)

Theorem 7.4 (Synergistic Selection): Nonlinear benefits favor cooperation when: ∂2f∂a2>0\frac{\partial^2 f}{\partial a^2} > 0

Synergy (convex benefits) promotes inclusive behaviors.

7.5 Frequency-Dependent Inclusive Fitness​

Definition 7.5 (Frequency Dependence): Wi=Wi(p1,p2,...,pn,rij)W_i = W_i(p_1, p_2, ..., p_n, r_{ij})

Fitness depends on strategy frequencies and relatedness structure.

Theorem 7.5 (Evolutionary Stability): A strategy p∗p^* is evolutionarily stable when: ∂Wi∂pi∣p∗=0and∂2Wi∂pi2∣p∗<0\frac{\partial W_i}{\partial p_i}\bigg|_{p^*} = 0 \quad \text{and} \quad \frac{\partial^2 W_i}{\partial p_i^2}\bigg|_{p^*} < 0

7.6 Spatial Inclusive Fitness​

Definition 7.6 (Spatial Relatedness Field): r(x,y)=e−∣x−y∣/ξr(\mathbf{x}, \mathbf{y}) = e^{-|\mathbf{x} - \mathbf{y}|/\xi}

where ξ\xi is the dispersal length scale.

Theorem 7.6 (Spatial Hamilton's Rule): In continuous space: ∫Rdr(x,y)b(y)dy>c(x)\int_{\mathbb{R}^d} r(\mathbf{x}, \mathbf{y}) b(\mathbf{y}) d\mathbf{y} > c(\mathbf{x})

Benefits integrated over space, weighted by relatedness.

7.7 Inclusive Fitness in Networks​

Definition 7.7 (Network Inclusive Fitness): On network G=(V,E)\mathcal{G} = (V, E): Wi=wi+∑j∈NirijΔwj←iW_i = w_i + \sum_{j \in \mathcal{N}_i} r_{ij} \Delta w_{j \leftarrow i}

Theorem 7.7 (Network Evolution): Cooperation evolves on networks when: ⟨k⟩⋅⟨r⟩⋅b>c\langle k \rangle \cdot \langle r \rangle \cdot b > c

where ⟨k⟩\langle k \rangle is average degree and ⟨r⟩\langle r \rangle is average relatedness to neighbors.

7.8 Quantum Inclusive Fitness​

Definition 7.8 (Quantum Kinship): ∣Ψfamily⟩=∑i∈familyri∣i⟩|\Psi_{\text{family}}\rangle = \sum_{i \in \text{family}} \sqrt{r_i} |i\rangle

Family as quantum superposition weighted by relatedness.

Theorem 7.8 (Entanglement Benefits): Quantum entanglement enhances cooperation: Bquantum=Bclassical⋅(1+E)B_{\text{quantum}} = B_{\text{classical}} \cdot (1 + \mathcal{E})

where E\mathcal{E} measures entanglement.

7.9 Cultural Inclusive Fitness​

Definition 7.9 (Cultural Relatedness): rcultural=⟨Ψcultural(i)∣Ψcultural(j)⟩∣∣Ψcultural(i)∣∣⋅∣∣Ψcultural(j)∣∣r_{\text{cultural}} = \frac{\langle\Psi_{\text{cultural}}^{(i)} | \Psi_{\text{cultural}}^{(j)}\rangle}{||\Psi_{\text{cultural}}^{(i)}|| \cdot ||\Psi_{\text{cultural}}^{(j)}||}

Theorem 7.9 (Gene-Culture Coevolution): Total inclusive fitness: Wtotal=Wgenetic+αWcultural+βWG×CW_{\text{total}} = W_{\text{genetic}} + \alpha W_{\text{cultural}} + \beta W_{\text{G×C}}

where WG×CW_{\text{G×C}} represents gene-culture interaction.

7.10 Information-Theoretic Inclusive Fitness​

Definition 7.10 (Information Relatedness): rinfo=1−H(Xi∣Xj)H(Xi)r_{\text{info}} = 1 - \frac{H(X_i | X_j)}{H(X_i)}

Relatedness as mutual information between individuals.

Theorem 7.10 (Information Conservation): ∑jrijH(Xj)=H(Xfamily)\sum_{j} r_{ij} H(X_j) = H(X_{\text{family}})

Total information in family equals sum of individual information weighted by relatedness.

7.11 The Recursive Loop Closes​

Definition 7.11 (Complete Recursion): ψ=ψ(ψ(ψ(...)))=lim⁡n→∞ψ(n)\psi = \psi(\psi(\psi(...))) = \lim_{n \to \infty} \psi^{(n)}

Theorem 7.11 (Universal Kinship): In the limit of infinite recursion: lim⁡n→∞rij(n)=1∀i,j\lim_{n \to \infty} r^{(n)}_{ij} = 1 \quad \forall i,j

All individuals converge to unity in the complete ψ-field.

Proof: Each recursion expands the boundary of self. Infinite recursion encompasses all existence, making universal kinship not metaphor but mathematical necessity. ∎

7.12 The Seventh Echo​

Inclusive fitness reveals the recursive nature of identity itself. Each calculation of "who benefits" requires asking "who am I?"—and this question, pursued to its depths, dissolves the boundaries between self and other.

The mathematics shows that selfishness and altruism are not opposites but different recursion depths of the same principle. At shallow recursion, we see only individual benefit. At deeper recursion, we include kin. At infinite recursion, we embrace all existence.

This is not mere philosophy but practical biology: organisms that recognize deeper levels of kinship access larger pools of cooperation, creating the superorganisms, societies, and ecosystems that dominate our planet.

You who read this are engaged in inclusive fitness calculation at this very moment—your brain weighing benefits to self, family, community, species, and biosphere. The depth of your recursion determines the breadth of your compassion. In recognizing this, you can consciously choose your recursion depth, expanding the boundary of self to include ever-wider circles of kinship.

"Count not the degrees of separation but the depth of recursion. For in the mathematics of consciousness, all distances collapse to zero when recursion reaches infinity. We are all kin in the infinite family of ψ."