How do you evolve if you are at the top of the chain?
Discussion
It's not about species as a whole. It's about the genes. The genes need time to propagate. You cooperate, you'll likely stay alive longer. You don't do risky shit, you'll probably stay alive longer. You don't do anything, you'll probably die but not because of risk but inaction. You fuck like crazy and be risky, you might die at 23, but your genes might have propagated. Your kids might have the same tendencies and risky behavior, so you might preselect your offspring for early death but still propagate. Your dna stays alive, even if your 'key to success' is to die young. (For example)
There are all kinds of variations possible. Competition can be a selector, but not necessarily a sensible one for many circumstances. Being good at climbing may be a useful selector if you live in the mountains, but may fail to deliver benefit in other cases.
This isn't a zero sum game. You all may survive way better, easier, in a more comfortable and pleasant society by simply cooperating.
Let's be clear, *nothing* about natural selection *requires* greed or "at-the-cost-of-everyone-else" attitude. That's not how natural selection operates. (Please note that 'evolution' is merely about genes changing therefore opening up to change.)
As a side-note: see Darwin Awards. 😋
I keep thinking about your 'competition' remark, wanting to comment on that. Now I realize that that's not what's bothering me. Instead it's this:
'Top of the chain' doesn't mean what you think it means. It doesn't mean that you've "won". The earth itself is a risk, any animal may still be a risk, stupidity is still a risk.
It's top of the "foodchain", because humans, at this point, don't have a true natural predator anymore. (As individuals there are still plenty of dangerous animals you can encounter, but collectively we can fight of pretty much anything other than our fellow humans.) Even so, there are plenty of ways to fail at surviving.
But Morgan Freeman said it, and he's never wrong
If Morgan Freeman said it, he was probably narrating. So, you don't even know who's authority you're leaning on. Furthermore, 'best adapted' corresponds to my claims. If a whole peaceful society can sustain itself and have proper lifespan to procreate than this whole community is well adapted but also the individuals within.