The Selfish Gene: 30th Anniversary Edition--with a new Introduction by the Author

The Selfish Gene: 30th Anniversary Edition--with a new Introduction by the Author
by Richard Dawkins

The Selfish Gene: 30th Anniversary Edition--with a new Introduction by the Author
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Book Summary Information

Author: Richard Dawkins
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 2006-05-25
ISBN: 0199291152
Number of pages: 384
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
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Book Reviews of The Selfish Gene: 30th Anniversary Edition--with a new Introduction by the Author

Book Review: My favourite book to date.
Summary: 5 Stars

This book is a classic and a masterpiece. I think that the majority of people misinterpret this book by the title of it. It could've easily also have been given the title 'The Altruistic Individual' for the majority of the book it discusses reciprocal altruisim, and why individuals are altruistic based on what it best for their genes. We are essientially gene machines, doing what's best for our genes; however, the genes have provided us with the ability to rebel against them (i.e contraception)
Dawkins also introduces the theory of the meme. Basically, as genes are in natural selection and reproduction - so memes are to human selection and cultural reproduction.
Buy the book! Amazing read!

Summary of The Selfish Gene: 30th Anniversary Edition--with a new Introduction by the Author

Richard Dawkins' brilliant reformulation of the theory of natural selection has the rare distinction of having provoked as much excitement and interest outside the scientific community as within it. His theories have helped change the whole nature of the study of social biology, and have forced thousands of readers to rethink their beliefs about life.
In his internationally bestselling, now classic volume, The Selfish Gene, Dawkins explains how the selfish gene can also be a subtle gene. The world of the selfish gene revolves around savage competition, ruthless exploitation, and deceit, and yet, Dawkins argues, acts of apparent altruism do exist in nature. Bees, for example, will commit suicide when they sting to protect the hive, and birds will risk their lives to warn the flock of an approaching hawk.
This 30th anniversary edition of Dawkins' fascinating book retains all original material, including the two enlightening chapters added in the second edition. In a new Introduction the author presents his thoughts thirty years after the publication of his first and most famous book, while the inclusion of the two-page original Foreword by brilliant American scientist Robert Trivers shows the enthusiastic reaction of the scientific community at that time. This edition is a celebration of a remarkable exposition of evolutionary thought, a work that has been widely hailed for its stylistic brilliance and deep scientific insights, and that continues to stimulate whole new areas of research today.
Inheriting the mantle of revolutionary biologist from Darwin, Watson, and Crick, Richard Dawkins forced an enormous change in the way we see ourselves and the world with the publication of The Selfish Gene. Suppose, instead of thinking about organisms using genes to reproduce themselves, as we had since Mendel's work was rediscovered, we turn it around and imagine that "our" genes build and maintain us in order to make more genes. That simple reversal seems to answer many puzzlers which had stumped scientists for years, and we haven't thought of evolution in the same way since.

Why are there miles and miles of "unused" DNA within each of our bodies? Why should a bee give up its own chance to reproduce to help raise her sisters and brothers? With a prophet's clarity, Dawkins told us the answers from the perspective of molecules competing for limited space and resources to produce more of their own kind. Drawing fascinating examples from every field of biology, he paved the way for a serious re-evaluation of evolution. He also introduced the concept of self-reproducing ideas, or memes, which (seemingly) use humans exclusively for their propagation. If we are puppets, he says, at least we can try to understand our strings. --Rob Lightner

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