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Nature & Science

The Selfish Gene

Nature & Science

The Selfish Gene

Nature & Science

The Selfish Gene

Richard Dawkins

Evolution takes place via the natural selection process on genomes, not on species or individuals. Genes are, by definition, selfish because they can achieve success by maintaining their own existence at the cost of other genes. It is possible to trace all animal behaviors back to selfish genes.

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biology

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17 min

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De quoi s'agit-il ?

1976 marked a landmark in biology with the publication of ‘’The Selfish Gene’’.Throughout this book, the author puts genes at the center of evolution and discusses how genes should be viewed as "selfish." Later, he applies this gene selfishness theory to explain the enormous diversity of animal behavior on the planet.

Résumé du livre

Richard Dawkins is a British evolutionary biologist, author, and prominent figure in the fields of science, atheism, and secularism. He is best known for his work in the field of evolutionary biology and for his outspoken advocacy of atheism and secular humanism.

"By all means let's be open-minded, but not so open-minded that our brains drop out."

"Biology is the study of complicated things that have the appearance of having been designed with a purpose."

"Natural selection will not remove ignorance from future generations."

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Genes are considered the basis of evolution because they can be found in many copies and are almost eternal.

By definition, genes are selfish because their survival success depends on the cost of other genes.

The phenotype of a gene determines whether it will survive in the environment.

The physical and genetic environment play a crucial role in the survival success of a gene.

Organisms are machines made by cooperating gene groups only because of their reproductive system.

Genetically, our brains are programmed to adopt behavior in order to survive.

A steady pattern of behavior is the result of competition between strategies.

Altruistic behaviors such as parental care can be explained by genes' selfish urge to survive.

A mutually altruistic behavior often benefits its host more than a purely selfish one.

The meme is the basic unit of human culture, which is also subject to evolution.

The drawbacks of selfish gene behavior can be overcome by conscious human foresight.

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