The Selfish Gene

Science need not be dull and bogged down by jargon, as Richard Dawkins proves in this entertaining look at evolution. The themes he takes up are the concepts of altruistic and selfish behaviour; the genetical definition of selfish interest; the evolution of aggressive behaviour; kinshiptheory; sex ratio theory; reciprocal altruism; deceit; and the natural selection of sex differences. 'Should be read, can be read by almost anyone. It describes with great skill a new face of the theory of evolution.' W.D. Hamilton, Science

The million copy international bestseller, critically acclaimed and translated into over 25 languages. This 30th anniversary edition includes a new introduction from the author as well as the original prefaces and foreword, and extracts from early reviews. As relevant and influential today as when it was first published, The Selfish Gene has become a classic exposition of evolutionary thought. Professor Dawkins articulates a gene's eye view of evolution - a view giving centre stage to these persistent units of information, and in which organisms can be seen as vehicles for their replication. This imaginative, powerful, and stylistically brilliant work not only brought the insights of Neo-Darwinism to a wide audience, but galvanized the biology community, generating much debate and stimulating whole new areas of research.

The million copy international bestseller, critically acclaimed and translated into over 25 languages. As influential today as when it was first published, The Selfish Gene has become a classic exposition of evolutionary thought. Professor Dawkins articulates a gene's eye view of evolution - a view giving centre stage to these persistent units of information, and in which organisms can be seen as vehicles for their replication. This imaginative, powerful, and stylistically brilliant work not only brought the insights of Neo-Darwinism to a wide audience, but galvanized the biology community, generating much debate and stimulating whole new areas of research. Forty years later, its insights remain as relevant today as on the day it was published. This 40th anniversary edition includes a new epilogue from the author discussing the continuing relevance of these ideas in evolutionary biology today, as well as the original prefaces and foreword, and extracts from early reviews. Oxford Landmark Science books are 'must-read' classics of modern science writing which have crystallized big ideas, and shaped the way we think.

Dawkin's theory that genes may reach outside the bodies in which they sit and manipulate other individuals is recapitulated in this book, this edition of which has two new chapters - a summary of the arguments and a new argument on the co-operation between the selfish genes.

Richard Dawkins provides excellent examples of his reasoning and interpretation skills in The Selfish Gene. His 1976 book is not a work of original research, but instead a careful explanation of evolution, combined with an argument for a particular interpretation of several aspects of evolution. Since Dawkins is building on other researchers’ work and writing for a general audience, the central elements of good reasoning are vital to his book: producing a clear argument and presenting a persuasive case; organising an argument and supporting its conclusions. In doing this, Dawkins also employs the crucial skill of interpretation: understanding what evidence means; clarifying terms; questioning definitions; giving clear definitions on which to build arguments. The strength of his reasoning and interpretative skills played a key part in the widespread acceptance of his argument for a gene-centred interpretation of natural selection and evolution – and in its history as a bestselling classic of science writing.

Whatever your opinion of ‘Intelligent Design,’ you’ll find Stove’s criticism of what he calls ‘Darwinism’ difficult to stop reading. Stove’s blistering attack on Richard Dawkins’ ‘selfish genes’ and ‘memes’ is unparalleled and unrelenting. A discussion of spiders who mimic bird droppings is alone worth the price of the book. Darwinian Fairytales should be read and pondered by anyone interested in sociobiology, the origin of altruism, and the awesome process of evolution. --Martin Gardner, author of Did Adam and Eve Have Navels?: Debunking Pseudoscience

Summary of The Selfish Genes Has The Egocentric Gene by Richard Dawkins been waiting for you on your study list? Choose the important thing ideas inside the e book with this brief summary. Over 3.5 billion years ago, in a primordial soup of molecules, the primary, most effective form of life on the planet came to be: a molecule able to reproduce itself, a replicator. Molecular replicators are made from lengthy chains of smaller building-block molecules in the same manner that a phrase is made up of a string of letters. Replicators reproduce themselves via attracting different ‘letters’ and performing as a template for them to fit into. The primary replicator routinely had a competitive edge over all the different molecules within the primordial soup because they could not replicate themselves, and subsequently the replicators have become more numerous than every other sort of molecule. But, mistakes inside the copying system led to ‘daughter’ replicators that had a slightly different configuration than their ‘parent.’ These new configurations supposed that a few ‘daughters’ had been able to reproduce themselves faster, or more correctly, giving them a competitive advantage over their ‘parent.’ An increasing number of replicators have been built from the finite deliver of constructing-block molecules within the primordial soup, and those molecules were step by step used up. Those two principles – a population in which ability varies and an surroundings of restrained sources – are the primary requirements for the system we recognize as evolution. As time went on, similar mistakes in copying resulted in new high quality traits, inclusive of the capacity to interrupt other replicators and use their constructing blocks for replication: the primary carnivores. Through the introduction of latest variations, and the survival of the replicators with the maximum beneficial blessings, greater complex existence forms emerged, in the end ensuing in the type of organisms we see today. Here is a Preview of What You Will Get: ⁃ A Full Book Summary ⁃ An Analysis ⁃ Fun quizzes ⁃ Quiz Answers ⁃ Etc. Get a copy of this summary and learn about the book.

* Our summary is short, simple and pragmatic. It allows you to have the essential ideas of a big book in less than 30 minutes. As you read this summary, you will discover that in nature, altruism does not exist. All living species are genetically selfish. You will also discover : that your genes have created you for their own survival; that your children will be naturally selfish, but that you have the means to change that through culture; that in terms of reproduction, the male is less involved than the female; that since the appearance of modern man, genetic evolution is no longer the only type of evolution in the world. The selfish gene theory is another facet of Darwin's theory. Rather than focusing on the individual organism, it takes the point of view of genetics. Your genes survived in a world where competition was raging, so the predominant quality in a gene that thrived is certainly ruthless selfishness. A selfishness that inevitably affects individual behavior. But by understanding what your genes are tending towards - selfishness - you may have a chance to counteract them and achieve what no other species has ever achieved: becoming an altruistic individual. Are you ready to regain control of your identity? *Buy now the summary of this book for the modest price of a cup of coffee!