The Core Idea: Though the book is called The Selfish Gene, the text unfolds something else – that actually altruism should be (and in most cases is) the driving behavior of all living creatures. The "selfish gene" theory proposed by Richard Dawkins has been an influential thread in scientific and popular thinking for the past 25 years. This view has received much popular attention, yet has enjoyed only limited uptake in the primary research literature. Wiki The Selfish Gene 5 min read. The gene is endowed with sentience to make the idear clear, which explains the book's title. In contrast, the theory of the selfish gene proposes that it is more correct to view adaptation as occurring at the level of the gene. The key concept is that any action is a supremely self- serving one on the part of the actor, devoid of motivation to serve the larger group to which the actor belongs (i.e., genes as parts of an organism). Richard Dawkins first published The Selfish Gene in 1976. Share to Pinterest. Share via email. The Selfish Gene. Dawkins discusses why many species reside in teams, attaining mutual advantages by means of mechanisms similar to Hamilton’s egocentric herd mannequin: every particular person behaves selfishly however the result’s herd behaviour. 193 quotes from The Selfish Gene: ‘Let us try to teach generosity and altruism, because we are born selfish. Share to Twitter. Share to Reddit. Share to Facebook. It is in fact a logical outgrowth of orthodox neo-Darwinism, but expressed as a novel image. It was met with controversy and become one of the most talked about concepts in evolutionary biology for years thereafter. ” – The Selfish Gene . Dawkins argued that natural selection takes place at the genetic rather than the species or individual level, as was often assumed. The Selfish Gene, Richard Dawkins (1990), second edition – includes two chapters about the evolution of cooperation, ISBN 0-19-286092-5 The Virtue of Selfishness , Ayn Rand , … ” Dawkins thinks that genes bundle together as colonies or “cartels” that live in discrete bodies because this cooperation is more effective at keeping them alive. Indeed, the idea of ascribing goals and strategies to genes has been highly controversial. It is in the gene's best interest, for example, to see to it that the genes of near relatives get a better chance to survive, because this increases the chances of the selfish gene's identical replica also surviving. In the beginning there was simplicity. The Selfish Gene.pdf (PDFy mirror) Item Preview > remove-circle Share or Embed This Item. The selfish gene theory is Darwin's theory, expressed in a way that Darwin did not choose but whose aptness, I should like to think, he would instantly have recognized and delighted in. 10 mins ago Event Admin . 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