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paper.Altruistic messages are indeed often loaded with promises ofreciprocal payoffs, but such promises have to be investigated. If thepayoffs actually tum out to be true, an altruistic label is misleading.However, if the reciprocal messages tum out to be false, we are leftwith a net east, i.e. altruism.E.O. Wilson (1979) discusses the example of Mother Theresa. Sinceit is highly probable that she believes in the teaching of the Bibleabout the possibility of admission to paradise, her sacrifices in thisworld can be seen as measures taken for a more precious goal, thesalvation of the soul. Wilson's conclusion is that she therefore isselfish, not altruistic. However, the classification of a deed should ­following our prior discussion of criteria - not based on an agent'shope, but by the statistical outcome in the real world. I think JosephLopreato makes an important point when commenting Wilson'sjudgement: " If the issue is stated this way, there are by fiat noaltruists, for we shall find that in one fashion or another we all seekfor ourselves "good" as contrasted to "evil". But that is not the issue.The sociobiology of altruism cancerns the salvatian or perdition ofgenes, not of souls." (Lopreato 1981, p. 117)Kin aid is a common phenomenon and by the theory of inclusivefitness its rationale is weIl understaad. There is no problem tounderstand a hybrid between kin aid and reciprocity as in thefollowing sequence A helps B; followed by B helps K (child of A). IfB provides help to K, that A is not able to perfonn himself, the returnbenefit is most valuable. However, if the receiver of this benefit isnot real kin, but pseudo kin, another situation emerges.Parasitism is sometimes accomplished by pure force, but sometimesby manipulation of the host animal. The classical example is theadoptive parents of the cuckoo who act as if they were involved inproviding for their kin. The cuckoo succeeds in manipulating thevictims' understanding of the situation and to trigger a beneficialbehavior. This parasitic behavior is based on a pseudo kin relation.Man has used the feeling of affection between brothers andtransformed it into special bonds of bload brothers. This is reallyreciprocity that is fonnalized inta stronger ties of rights and liabilitiesthan between unrelated men of the tribe. Later in history there arebratherhoods of monasteries and of revolutionary activists. The ruleris normally described as the father of his subjects, from "the Holy1:9