But evolution IS about improvement.

The core value in all decisions and adaptations is better survival. Even a philosophy survives or fades to the degree it aids or lessens that vector.

Humans have a complex survival computation, in that they will sacrifice the survival of one thing for the survival of another, such as giving up one's life to save babies from a fire, or sacrificing physical comforts in order to acheive an artistic goal.

So the question "Survival of what" is much more multi-faceted in humans than it is in some animals who think of little more than their instincts for self-preservation and possibly their immediate herd or offspring. But the thrust is completely similar--individuals change in order to survive the present and appear in the future in one form or another.

And that pretty much defines betterment. Part of our calculations and discussions in this forum are about large-group survival (Western civilization, or The English Way, or human life on earth. Part of it is about the balances in play in the environment (multicultural survival, saving polar bears, immigration policies, for example). When we adapt to bring about stronger survival four ourselves and our symbiotes, we are doing better (if it works).

Even the trade-offs are believed to be for better survival. The problem is in calculating them correctly.

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