" Selfish Gene " was first published in 1976 and was translated into China more than 20 years later. Its author is Richard Dawkins, a member of the Royal Academy of Sciences, who has been named one of the 100 most influential public intellectuals in the world.
Doggins Starting from the standpoint of an atheist, he explains his evolutionary theory and atheistic thoughts through many works. The "The Selfish Gene" introduced in this article is the most important one. It is said that the publisher of this book could not sleep for three days after reading it. Some teachers and people from the society wrote letters to condemn the author, believing that he should not have written such a book.
So what exactly does "The Selfish Gene" write?
introduces the main topics of social theory in detail
Dowkins explains some basic concepts in social theory, such as what we often talk about now, the definition of selfishness, the definition of selfishness, deceptive behavior, etc. Some behaviors look extremely selfish and unreasonable, some behaviors look warm and touching, some people are angry, and some people are loved... Why do all kinds of behaviors come about? Dawkins believes that genes control us.
believes that the basic characteristics of genes are selfish
Doggins believes that organisms, whether individuals or groups, are just temporary carriers of genes. The various behaviors of humans or other organisms can be explained from the perspective of genes, and continuing genes is often the ultimate purpose of these behaviors.
For example, animals take care of their offspring and humans take care of their children seem to be an altruistic behavior, but in essence it is to complete their own replication and enable their genes to be better continued.
Dawkins also gave a detailed discussion from the perspective of genes on the gender relationship between humans and the male and female relationship between other organisms. He said that this kind of relationship is equivalent to an alliance, like cooperating to start a company, and the next generation is their profit. In the family community of interests in human society, because women pay more (as if she invests more in a company), their mother cares more about the next generation, just as the one who cares about the company's business results the most must be the biggest boss of the company. It is reflected in human life, that is, the common maternal love we have is heavier than fatherly love.
Explain that altruism is for selfishness
Altruistic behavior is not uncommon in human history or other biological clocks, but in Dawkins's view, this cannot deny the selfish nature of genes, because he believes that the starting point of altruistic behavior is for selfishness. It is like the small fish and shrimp in the ocean that helps special fish to clean their mouths. Their purpose is just to have a full meal. It is more about mutual assistance than altruism.
Mutual assistance is not because of kindness or other beautiful qualities, but because of the compromise of organisms in countless games. In specific circumstances, only by cooperating and helping each other can the passing of genes be achieved from generation to generation.
In other words, it is only through the selfish nature of genes that humans and other organisms have evolved altruistic behavior.
The book affects many unique insights in
are refreshing, but it was also a big impact for people at that time. Many young people were greatly hit after reading it, feeling that life is nothingness, they are just a carrier of genes, and all kinds of behaviors are "controlled" by genes.
Doggins was questioned by all parties. He wrote the book "Analysis of Rainbows - The Temptation of Science, Illusion and Mystery" 20 years after the publication of this book, with one chapter specifically responding, which is called "The Selfish Collaborator". In this chapter, Dawkins said that although genes are selfish, they also need cooperation, but cooperation is not disorderly, but can be chosen.
This book "The Selfish Gene", some people suddenly realized after reading it, and solved their confusion, while others felt like they fell into an ice cave after reading it, and felt that their life was empty and vague. Have you read this book? Do you agree with the author?
