The Selfish Gene in SCIENCE : A discussions group

Apr 05, 2017 Sairica rated it really liked it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Richard Dawkins has become one of my favourite authors after this book. Dawkins is a Darwinian and in this book, he gives an alternate (scientific) explanation to the philosophical questions of life: "Why we were born!", "why we behave the way we do!" etc.

In the preface, he explains that he has considered three types of readers while writing the book - one of which is "the layman" (not assuming he is stupid) and for him, he has avoided using mathematical language to explain complicated ideas; th Richard Dawkins has become one of my favourite authors after this book. Dawkins is a Darwinian and in this book, he gives an alternate (scientific) explanation to the philosophical questions of life: "Why we were born!", "why we behave the way we do!" etc.

In the preface, he explains that he has considered three types of readers while writing the book - one of which is "the layman" (not assuming he is stupid) and for him, he has avoided using mathematical language to explain complicated ideas; the second: the student who wishes to understand his work sans the mathematics, in a simple way; and the third: the critic.

Dawkins begins with the chapter, "why are people" and explains why the attempts to answer these questions before 1859 are worthless. (Pre-darwinian answers) except for their (considerable) historic interest. He, then, very simply explains the primordial soup theory, "In the beginning there was simplicity." and then builds on to his theory of replicators and eventually the theory of the selfish gene. He states, "They are in you and in me; they created us, body and mind; and their preservation is the ultimate rationale for our existence. They have come a long way, those replicators. Now they go by the name of genes, and we are their survival machines." (The one quote that I will always remember.) He says that it astonishes him even today, to consider himself: a vehicle, having the sole purpose of ensuring the survival of its genes.

He states that natural selection is the root cause of our survival and the way that we are. Simply put, if we hadn't been the way we are (or evolved) we wouldn't have survived. The errors would have cost us our lives. He talks about this in context with other species and vociferously opposes the theory of 'Group Selection.' He also explains the ESS: Evolutionary Stable Strategy - a pre-programmed behavioural policy, for example, "Attack opponent; if he flees, pursue him; if he retaliates, run away" and how it has developed over time.

Then, he builds on to the theory of Memes: an idea or value passed from one person to another; but only barely and very cleverly coaxes you into going and reading 'the extended phenotype' (who am I kidding, I was going to anyway.) I love how he has chosen very interesting names for his chapters "You scratch my back, I'll ride on yours", "Memes: the new replicators", "Nice guys finish First" "Battle of the sexes", "The long reach of the gene" etc.

Throughout the book, he gives insightful examples of the unique behaviour of species from the broad spectrum of the animal kingdom which make for a delightful read. One of my favourite examples is the behaviour of the mexican social spider 'Oecobius Civitas' (by J.W. Burgess) which when disturbed from its usual resting place will not fight the intruder but will go in search of a new place to rest. In a colony of such spiders, if one spider is disturbed, the displacement from refuge to refuge may continue for a few seconds causing a majority of spiders to "shift from their home to an alien one."

Ah, the beauty of the system. It makes me realise how incredible we are! The way in which we evolved over millions of years correcting each step as we went. It is the most satiating explanation that I have ever read.

In all, it was an enlightening read.

If you enjoyed this. Please check out my blog:
https://sciencemathbookreviews.blogsp... ...more

Like · see review