The Selfish Gene

Richard Dawkins

Oxford University Press, 1989 - Literary Criticism - 352 pages

Richard Dawkins' brilliant reformulation of the theory of natural selection has the rare distinction of having provoked as much excitement and interest outside the scientific community as within it. His theories have helped change the whole nature of the study of social biology, and have forced thousands of readers to rethink their beliefs about life.
In his internationally bestselling, now classic volume, The Selfish Gene, Dawkins explains how the selfish gene can also be a subtle gene. The world of the selfish gene revolves around savage competition, ruthless exploitation, and deceit, and yet, Dawkins argues, acts of apparent altruism do exist in nature. Bees, for example, will commit suicide when they sting to protect the hive, and birds will risk their lives to warn the flock of an approaching hawk.
This revised edition of Dawkins' fascinating book contains two new chapters. One, entitled "Nice Guys Finish First," demonstrates how cooperation can evolve even in a basically selfish world. The other new chapter, entitled "The Long Reach of the Gene," which reflects the arguments presented in Dawkins' The Extended Phenotype, clarifies the startling view that genes may reach outside the bodies in which they dwell and manipulate other individuals and even the world at large. Containing a wealth of remarkable new insights into the biological world, the second edition once again drives home the fact that truth is stranger than fiction.

What people are saying

User Review -

there are torn pages

User Review -

Must read book, whether your an aspiring biologist (in which case you been viewing things totally wrong) or just a curious observer (in which case you'll still completely enjoy it).
Using brilliant, easy-to-follow prose and solid 'intuitive' arguments, Dawkins not only changes your perspective on Bio but on philosophy and the very question of life itself.
Must read IMO. Be wary of the wildly-varying editions though... 

Contents

• Why are people?: 1
• The replicators: 12
• Immortal coils: 21
• The gene machine: 46
• Aggression stability and the selfish machine: 66
• Genesmanship: 88
• Family planning: 109
• Batde of the generations: 123
• Battle of the sexes: 140
• You scratch my back Ill ride on yours: 166
• Memes the new replicators: 189
• Nice guys finish first: 202
• The long reach of the gene: 234
• Endnotes: 267
• Updated bibliography: 333
• Index and key to bibliography: 345

About the author

Richard Dawkins is Reader in Zoology and Fellow of New College at the University of Oxford. His books include The Blind Watchmaker and he Extended Phenotype (OPB, 1989).

Bibliographic information

• Title: The Selfish Gene; Oxford paperbacks; Popular Science Series
• Author: Richard Dawkins
• Edition: illustrated, reprint, reissue, revised
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, 1989
• ISBN: 0192860925, 9780192860927
• Length: 352 pages
• Subjects: Literary Criticism / American / African American