The Selfish Gene

So I had to read this for my Moral Development class. And I suppose if you're just reading to find out what a breakthrough evolutionary theory looked like 50 years ago, then it's a good read. Don't get me wrong, this book was brilliant in its time, and it's likely to entertain you. However, nothing is ever as simple as Dawkins tries to make it out to be, evolution least of all. Gene-driven evolution is, to this day, considered to be an umbrella all other evolution research must fall under, and that is the crux of the problem. Some of the more recent research involving gene expression, has to work much harder than it should, in order to fall under this umbrella. Worse, genuine breakthroughs like Masatoshi Nei's "Mutation Driven Evolution" will often get sidelined because Dawkins presented mutation as secondary to natural selection. It's hard to take this book at face value when you discover research that presents locusts and a dozen species of grasshoppers having exactly the same genetic material, expressing itself differently solely based on serotonin levels. It's even harder to take it seriously when he claims that we must teach our children altruism, for it is certainly not to be found in their genetic material. To a scientist, these types of proclamations are ghastly. There is no experiment that has been performed, or can be performed, that would validate such a claim. Just because we haven't discovered an empathy gene, this can't be a proof of its nonexistence. Dawkins builds his work on scientists who came before him, drawing heavily and often on their research when it suits him. When it doesn't, such as Mendel's experiments with manipulating traits of bees and his inadvertent creation of a vicious breed that he had to exterminate, Dawkins conveniently ignores the obvious. He saves himself, more than once, by specifying that his theories are not meant to be applied to human beings, However, his language makes it clear that this is something he'd intended, before validity and reliability of his statements got in the way.All in all, my frustration is mainly with the insistence of treating this book as anything other than what it is. A brilliant work from 50 years ago that is long past its due date, and still being peddled to those who need a simple explanation of evolution, one where little science is needed. And David Dobbs rightly called it out: "The gene-centric model survives because simplicity is a hugely advantageous trait for an idea to possess."

Opened up a new way of thinking and seeing the world and our tiny place in it...Idea that the DNA inside each cell is evolution.. Not the outward body ...Everything is at a quantum level of energy and beingness.....It's a challenge tocomprehend and understand...Helpful in eliminating one's giant ego !!

Book very old and yellowed. Would not have boughtNot worth returning. Waste of time.

bought this for a gift.

Nice

Book arrived within date range, in right condition (even better than expected), and overall was as ordered. Great experience; thanks!

Chapter 2 allowed me to truly understand evolution and life in general. Great chapter!

Jumped to conclusions regarding junk DNA. Research is rewriting the narrative around DNA and epigenetics

The most thought provoking book I have ever read. This should be taught in all schools. Dawkins arguments are clear and easily understood. It is not an exaggeration to say that it has changed my perception of the world around me. I have now read all Dawkins books. I would also recommend (particularly for people new to popular science) his latest book The Magic of Reality. He is a truly inspirational person who works tirelessly to defeat ignorance and has helped many people to cast the dogma of religious mumbo jumbo.