The Selfish Gene by Richard Dawkins

The Selfish Gene — written by Richard Dawkins, is a revolutionary book on evolutionary biology that changed how we understand life, behavior, and natural selection.

Published in 1976, the book presents the idea that evolution works at the level of genes, not species or individuals. Dawkins argues that genes act in ways that ensure their own survival and replication — hence the term “selfish gene.” However, this doesn’t mean organisms are selfish; rather, it explains why behaviors like altruism, cooperation, and parental care can evolve if they help genes survive through future generations.

👉 Main Ideas:

• Evolution is driven by the survival of genes, not necessarily the individual.

• Altruistic behavior can be a genetic strategy for survival.

• Living beings are “vehicles” for their genes, shaped by evolution to pass them on.

• Introduces the concept of “memes” — ideas that evolve and spread culturally, like genes do biologically.

👉 Author: Richard Dawkins
👉 Published: 1976
👉 Genre: Science / Evolutionary Biology

💬 “We are survival machines — robot vehicles blindly programmed to preserve the selfish molecules known as genes.”

✨ The Selfish Gene is a brilliant and thought-provoking exploration of evolution, offering a new perspective on life, behavior, and the very nature of existence.