>This ["superorganism] insight is as least as old as Darwin, isn't it? I had
>thought that Darwin used this notion to explain why bees
>did things clearly not in their own individual interest
>(such as stinging and thereby killing themselves) but which
>were in the interest of the hive as a whole.
>Just a thought- I'd love to read more about latest views on it.
 
   The earliest record we know for the concept is that of Pliny, about
23-79 A.D., when he wrote:  "What men, I protest, can we rank in rationaity
with these [bees], which unquestionably excel mankind in this, that they
recognize only the common interest."  For a summary of some early thought
on the topic, consult Excursus MM --- pp. 294-298 in our book, ANATOMY OF A
CONTROVERSY (1990: Columbia University Press).
 
   If not too many requests come in, I can send a photocopy of those pages.
Please reply to me directly, not to the Net.
 
                                                Adrian
 
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