Beginning at the Beginning

I started the Selfish Gene by reading the first introduction, something I highly recommended because Dawkins makes his intent clear and makes sure that certain elements of the book won’t be misconstrued, such as the title and tone of the book, which is merely meant to be emotionally detached because the writing is scientific, not bleak and somber.

Chapter One’s title springs from the childhood question of why we are here. Dawkins believes the first man who objectively answered the question was Charles Darwin with his ideas on evolution. Dawkins’ mentions several people who have misinterpreted Darwin’s theory to mean that people act for the good of the species, rather than the individual. Genes are selfish in the sense that they do all they can to perpetuate themselves, which means that others will not be able to. Even altruistic actions have selfish connotations because they help propagate the gene. The author tells us that we can also overcome these selfish urges is we work to do so because we are not compelled to do what our genes tell us. Reproduction is also defined as< selfish, as it is done to ensure gene survival and consequentially perpetuates the species despite this not being its main object. Survival of the fittest refers to the fittest gene; a gene likelier to survive creates more genes like it if it is selfish. Groups are also selfish, for example one country fighting another to compete for finite resources and be better equipped to survive. Species are also selfish in relation to each other and likely to cooperate simply because they are the same species. Of course, identifying with a group only goes so far, s eventually everyone will fall back on individual selfishness.