This groundbreaking book presents a revolutionary perspective on the theory of evolution. The author, a renowned evolutionary biologist, argues that the fundamental unit of selection is not the species or even the individual, but the gene itself. He proposes that our genes, which he dubs “selfish”, are the ones that have survived through the ages via a process of rigorous natural selection. The book explores how these selfish genes shape our bodies and behaviors, driving us to act in ways that ensure their propagation into the next generation. The author also introduces the concept of “memes” as cultural analogues to genes, which spread and evolve across societies. This provocative work challenges traditional notions of altruism and selfishness, and offers a compelling new lens through which to understand the complexities of evolution and the intricate dance of genes and culture.
The Selfish Gene
The Selfish Gene is a book about evolutionary biology, which explains how genes are the fundamental unit of selection in evolution. It argues that genes are the driving force behind evolution, and that organisms are merely vehicles for their replication. It also explains how natural selection works and how it shapes the behavior of organisms.
