 | Evolution acts on genes, not group virtue — behaviors that propagate alleles persist. Memes extend the logic to culture. Useful frame to separate evolutionary impulse from chosen life design. Richard Dawkins First published 1976 - Reprint (2016) · Oxford University Press · ISBN 9780198788607 |
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Key principles
- Gene-centric view — Natural selection acts on replicators (genes), not on group virtue or species welfare as primary units.
- Selfish replicator ≠ selfish person — Genes “want” to propagate alleles; humans can design culture and ethics on top of that logic.
- Kin selection — Apparent altruism often serves inclusive fitness — help copies of shared genes in relatives.
- Extended phenotype — Genes express beyond the body (beaver dams, spider webs) — behavior is part of the replicator’s strategy.
- Memes — Cultural units replicate like genes — ideas compete for attention and transmission.
- Evolutionary frame — Separates impulse (what replicated) from chosen design (what you build in a life).
Core science
Formulates the gene-centric view of evolution and introduces memes as units of cultural transmission.
Application
Provides a stark biological frame for primal human drives — separate evolutionary impulses from conscious life design. Open Behavioral change canon on the Atlas shelf for the mechanism map.