Final answer:
The solution to the puzzle of altruism towards non-kin involves concepts like reciprocal altruism and inclusive fitness, explaining behavior through mutually beneficial actions and indirect gene sharing, respectively.
Step-by-step explanation:
The puzzle of altruism, especially when it occurs between non-kin, is a particularly intriguing aspect of evolutionary biology and behavioral ecology. Looking to Richard Dawkins' The Selfish Gene, altruistic behaviors among relatives make sense as a genetic strategy for passing on shared genes. However, altruism among non-kin presents a more complex scenario involving reciprocal altruism, where unrelated individuals cooperate with the expectation of mutual benefit, such as monkeys grooming one another to remove parasites.
The concept of inclusive fitness extends the understanding of altruism in social insects, where sterile workers support the queen and thus indirectly pass on related genes. Evolutionary game theory questions the application of terms like 'selfish' and 'altruistic' to animal behavior, suggesting these acts are not purely generous but have underlying fitness advantages. This ongoing debate touches on both biological and social-psychological perspectives, as well as ethical theory concerning the morality of altruism.