A Reformulation of Utility Theory of it All Comes from Sex

This paper outlines the origins of the utility function in terms of evolution and sexual selection. Altruistic behaviour between non-kin is found to be a result of a stable tit-for-tat solution to the prisoners' dilemma, combined with reputation effects, and an evolutionary drive to promote group loyalty. Group loyalty explains true altruistic behavior, religion, and ethnic tensions. Economic implications from thie evolutionary psychological approach include positively sloped demand curves for a small number of goods, an explanation for risk taking by young men.