The Selfish Gene Essay

In the modern world, mankind is surrounding by a plethora of unique animals, plants, and other organism that have a certain natural design all their own. For instance, every organism appears to be best suited in their natural environment, as they are usually able thrive under unique conditions that may not optimal for every organism. Thus, it would appear as though divine intervention was necessary for this perfect design and placement of an organism into their environment. Consequently, this was the ideology for many centuries until Charles Darwin explained how these “illusions” fit into his theory of natural selection. Charles Darwin’s theory of natural selection stated that the process by which forms of life having traits that better enable them to adapt to specific environmental pressures, such as predators, changes in climate, or competition for food or mates, will tend to survive and reproduce in greater numbers than others of their kind, thus ensuring the perpetuation of those favorable traits in succeeding generations (Cite). Although it is widely accepted that many of human’s physical traits are inherited from their parents, the notion that the mind has evolved and is designed to function is certain ways is still controversial (Cite). With that being said, the majority of theories that illustrate how the mind develops are still being debated. Moreover, the

Comment Powered by Li 1 UCOR 1620 02 Darwin & the idea of Evolution Mingxi Li(Jessie) Mar. 8th, 2017 Assignment 3 Argument against Evolution by Natural Selection Abstract Natural selection is one of the numerous theories that attempt to explain the evolution of living things from their primitive origins to the more advanced organisms existing today. At its core, this theory supports the notion that only the strongest organisms survive in a changing environment while their weak counterparts die off. Nevertheless, various circles regard the evolutionary theory by natural selection as practically impossible. Since its conception, proponents of the theory have defended it with the help of

Charles Darwin includes an effective beginning for his work, Natural Selection. By introducing his theory with a set of questions, interest to continue reading is developed. One question Darwin poses is the possibility of how one can survive, taking into account the circumstances of climate and traits. An interesting concept Darwin alludes to is that some individuals possess certain traits that enable them to survive. Another method implemented in the beginning of Darwin’s piece is the broadness of the context. Darwin does not go into any specifics right away, as the reader will learn more as they continue. “Let it be borne in mind how infinitely complex and close fitting are the mutual relations of all organic beings to each other and to their physical conditions of life” (Darwin 900). Darwin accounts for how unique each organism is, but generalizes the statement by categorizing all organisms as complex. By doing this, the reader is inclined to continue

In what he called the ‘survival of the fittest’, Darwin suggested that through the process of natural selection animals with particular characteristics, as a result of possessing advantageous alleles, will survive. However, those with maladaptive genes cannot adapt to changes in environmental conditions, so will die or become extinct. Dowling (1994) stated that this process depends on three principles: species diversity, interaction and the spread of a species as a result of differential amplification. Sexual selection is another component of Darwin’s research, which explains the best strategies adopted for passing on genes to offspring. Moreover, there are problems with Darwin’s theory such as his attempts to generalise animal behaviour to the way in which humans interact in their environment. However, he has presented compelling evidence which is very scientific in its approach and methodology. Furthermore, contrary to Darwin’s evolutionary idea of survival of an individual, Dawkins (1976) suggested that the survival of the genes is more important.

For this week’s lecture we had five different readings. There were two chapters, chapter five and twelve, from “The Selfish Gene” by Richard Dawkins. The other readings were chapters five, six, and seven From “Yanomamo” by Napoleon A. Chagnon. In chapter five from “The Selfish Gene”, Dawkins discusses the idea that animals of the same species are more likely to be aggressive towards each other because they share more of the same resources. This makes a lot of sense because two animals that do not use the same resource will have no reason to fight because the others existence does not really affect their own. One could even compare this idea to reproduction and mating. Although this relates more back to biological sex and sexual preference rather

The DNA Mystique looks into the power of the gene in today’s society. Dorothy Nelkin and Susan Lindee (1995) describe the evolution of the gene as a cultural icon. Society puts a huge emphasis on understanding everyday behavior and the “secret of life” through genetic essentialism. According to Nelkin and Lindee genetic essentialism “reduces the self to a molecular entity, equating human beings, in all their social, historical, and moral complexity, with their genes” (p. 337). DNA is used as a way to define the individual’s true self and understand the evolution of a person’s identity. Nelkin and Lindee discuss the intersection of science and popular culture to shape the cultural meaning of the gene (p. 338). They lay out a timeline of genetic mapping and the use of genome research to determine future outcomes.

In topic 1, the introduction to human uniqueness and social coercion theory, we are introduced to some of the common misinterpretation behind Charles’ Darwin’s theory of evolution, specifically in regards to natural selection and survival of the fittest. One of the biggest contributors to this issue is the lack of exposure to the general public on the overall theory behind these two processes. Instead of a full detailed explanation about natural selection and survival of the fittest, we are just told that it is slow and that to be fit means a level of superiority among competition, respectively. Topic 1 revealed that this is not true, as well as stating that natural selection is about individual risk, benefit and cost is of the utmost importance(Bingham). Based on this newly found insight from the course, how does individual risk, benefit, and cost play such an important role in natural selection even though selection is seen in a population and not a

The observatory sense demonstrated by scientists to eventually conclude that inheritance is more than genes and the DNA sequence is both commendable and insightful. It was surprising to find out that genes are not the only genetic components passed from one generation another. They are not the only one that influences transgenerational changes. More surprising was the revelations that the human genome has more than 30,000 genes that could be switched on and off due to environmental stimuli. Essentially, genes experience epigenetic changes. These chemical labels accrue over time and influence the turning on and off (BBC Channel TV, 2015). The switching on and off of genes causes humans to have different kind of cells. It is notable that the effect of the environment is a major factor in explaining the hereditary patterns and the

I think Lawrence Summer’s points and the reply to some extent do misunderstand the determinist position in science, which is much more complicated than seen here. Thinkers like Richard Dawkins or Daniel Denett have never said that biology and genes are everything but simply that they are very, very important. Furthermore, a true determinist believes that everything is determined, not just a few simply physical differences. Let me take the example of the skinny man and the naturally strong guy as an example:

existence of evil and depression as consequences of “bad” genes. The idea that genes are the

The idea that our genetic code controls most aspects of our lives is arguable. Nowadays, scientists (cell biologists, neuroscientists, etc.) are uncovering concrete evidence that are genetic code is only one of the many complex system of the human body that sways our lives. According to one new study, (“Do

It has been argued that if genes influence behaviour and character, and we cannot choose our genes, then our behaviour is outside our control and we are not responsible. However, we take the view that genes are not deterministic, and that there is scope for an

indeed play a role in the behavioral parts of individuals. It therefore creates a mindset

Genes not only depend on its ability to survive but also on other genetic units. Dawkins (2006) suggested that genes are selfish because only the “fittest” (p. 12) genes survive. Moreover, Dawkins claim that genes are selfish when better genes prevail over its predecessor genes which are not on par seems justifiable. However, Bhalla (2013) claimed that collaboration between genes is necessary. Improved genes thrive because it is able to continue surviving and value add the host cell or organism on a macro scale, contradicting Dawkins’ claim on “selfish genes” (p. 45). The selfless behaviour of genes is parallel to that in humans as people nowadays often offer help to strangers without expecting returns (Ratner & Way, 2013). Furthermore, Dawkins

Most of us assume that selfishness is both wrong and unhealthy. But is this true?