i'm starting to think that 'selfish' is the wrong word to use here, toretorden.
to me, selfish behaviour is action that benefits the actor, and is carried out in spite of its consequences to other parties involved. there is an implicit acknowledgment in a selfish act that it might have adverse effects on others. i think that's what really defines a selfish act, not just an action that benefits only the actor.
but in the natural world, there is no such acknowledgment. a predator is not selfish when it kills to survive. a tree is not selfish when its branches prevent its offspring from receiving enough sunlight to survive. organisms do what they do, and while this often conflicts with what other organisms do, it is simply the way of the world.
if that makes any sense...
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