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akhiltp4 's review for:
The Selfish Gene
by Richard Dawkins
Loved it!
Richard Dawkins offers a new perspective on the theory of natural selection. Most of us view the natural selection as individual organisms being evolved with the gene as a token for identity and propagation of the individual. The Selfish Gene, much-criticised mistakenly for its slightly deceptive title, tells us that genes are the real deal. The individual organisms are just "vehicles" for the propagation of the genes. The shocking revelations about the consequences of individual genes trying to succeed in a pool of rival genes (called alleles) can violate human morals. But are genes conscious? Definitely not! So how can we account for their "vicious" or "altruistic" deeds, which are consequences of their "simple" replication, so perfectly? Why do genes exhibit kin selection rather than group selection?
Dawkins answers all these questions (and many more!) brilliantly with the aid of apposite metaphors with startling precision. Furthermore, Dawkins introduces us to "phenotypes"- the bodily manifestation of a gene, it's effects on the body in comparison with its alleles, via development. His central theorem of the extended phenotype in his own words; "An animal's behaviour tends to maximise the survival of the genes 'for' that behaviour, whether or not those genes happen to be in the body of the particular animal performing it" is mindblowing!
Although the view that Dawkins is offering us requires a significant amount of intellectual rigour, 'The selfish gene' is very much accessible, thanks to his literary skills!
Richard Dawkins offers a new perspective on the theory of natural selection. Most of us view the natural selection as individual organisms being evolved with the gene as a token for identity and propagation of the individual. The Selfish Gene, much-criticised mistakenly for its slightly deceptive title, tells us that genes are the real deal. The individual organisms are just "vehicles" for the propagation of the genes. The shocking revelations about the consequences of individual genes trying to succeed in a pool of rival genes (called alleles) can violate human morals. But are genes conscious? Definitely not! So how can we account for their "vicious" or "altruistic" deeds, which are consequences of their "simple" replication, so perfectly? Why do genes exhibit kin selection rather than group selection?
Dawkins answers all these questions (and many more!) brilliantly with the aid of apposite metaphors with startling precision. Furthermore, Dawkins introduces us to "phenotypes"- the bodily manifestation of a gene, it's effects on the body in comparison with its alleles, via development. His central theorem of the extended phenotype in his own words; "An animal's behaviour tends to maximise the survival of the genes 'for' that behaviour, whether or not those genes happen to be in the body of the particular animal performing it" is mindblowing!
Although the view that Dawkins is offering us requires a significant amount of intellectual rigour, 'The selfish gene' is very much accessible, thanks to his literary skills!