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The Myth of Group Selection: Why Do Selfish Genes Always Win the Competition?
Since 1976, Richard Dawkins' book The Selfish Gene has profoundly changed our understanding of biological evolution. The gene-centered view proposed in the book emphasizes that the replication of genes is more important than the survival of the entire organism. This concept has had a profound impact on other fields of biology. This book not only expands Darwin's theory of evolution, but also introduces many new concepts, including "memes". As "The Selfish Gene" received a huge response in the biological community, people began to rethink the theory of group selection and realized that the classic view of group selection may no longer be applicable to today's scientific background.
Dawkins's description of genes as "selfish" does not mean that they have intentions, but that the consequences can be metaphorically understood as being "selfish" in the pursuit of replication.
The relationship between genes and individuals
Dawkins started from the genetic point of view and compared the interaction between genes and organisms in the process of evolution. He points out that selfish genes, which reproduce by striving to improve their own chances of substitution, can actually lead to seemingly altruistic behavior. For example, kin selection theory shows that genes tend to support the survival of individuals who are closely related to themselves to enhance the inheritance of their genes in the population.
This argument is particularly salient in the relationship between the two that Dawkins elaborates. Genes not only have a monopoly position among biological individuals, but in fact, in selection, genes are more like the anchors of flexible individuals, and the biology itself gives these genes a stage to survive. He emphasized that "the role of survival machines (organisms) is to support the reproduction of genes within a certain range." This view challenges the past group-based selection theory.
Dawkins said that the root cause is that the success of a gene is not based on the survival of the organism, but on whether the gene can be successfully copied.
The selfish gene and altruism
In the book, Dawkins doesn't just highlight the footprints of selfish genes, he also explores how genes can promote altruistic behavior. "Although genes are inherently selfish, under certain conditions, altruistic behavior becomes a better way for genes to replicate." This idea explains, for example, altruistic behavior in social insects such as bees and ants, among which worker ants The right to reproduce is usually given up in favor of the reproduction of fellow dogs.
Such behavior is, to a certain extent, the acquisition of gene replication, rather than an individual's direct self-interest.
Memes in puzzles
In addition to the discussion of genes, Dawkins also introduced the concept of "meme" - a cultural unit of self-communication. The introduction of this term further amplifies the gene-like behavior of how humans reproduce themselves in culture. This concept has gained a new perspective in cultural studies and sociology, and the importance of memes has even aroused the interest of many researchers.
In summary, "The Selfish Gene" challenges traditional selection theory and provides a new understanding framework from a gene-centered perspective. It's not just a discussion of biology, it's a reorientation of how we think about ourselves, culture, and evolution.
In this ongoing biological revolution, we cannot help but wonder: Will the concept of selfish genes lead us to redefine the relationship between human behavior and culture?
