The Selfish Gene - Podcast Shows - Bookish Discussion

Richard Dawkins's The Selfish Gene (1976, with later editions) explains evolution from a gene's-eye perspective, arguing that genes, not individual organisms or groups, are the fundamental units of selection. The book uses numerous examples from animal behavior to illustrate how genes promote their own survival, sometimes seemingly at the expense of the individual organism. This perspective addresses altruism and selfishness as behavioral outcomes influenced by genes, and explores concepts like kin selection, parental investment, and the evolution of cooperation. Dawkins also introduces the concept of memes as cultural replicators, analogous to genes but operating on a different level. Later editions of the book incorporate new research and further refine the core arguments.