The Selfish Genius
Encyclopedia
The Selfish Genius: How Richard Dawkins Rewrote Darwin's Legacy is a book on the history and philosophy of science
of evolutionary theory by Fern Elsdon-Baker, published in 2009
the year that celebrates the 150th anniversary of on the Origin of Species. The book provides an overview of the Historical and Philosophical debates that have continued throughout the history of Evolutionary Theory, and carry on to this day in debates surrounding the merits of gene-centric selection and group selection
models. The book is particularly critical of the popular science author Richard Dawkins
claiming he portrays a brand of evolutionary theory that states natural selection acts at the level of gene
to the exclusion of group selection
models that state it could also act at the level of organisms or species. The book also claims Dawkins has an outdated and prescriptive way of understanding evolution that actually restricts debate rather than exciting it.
titled the "Dawkins Dogma" contains parts of the arguments put forward within the book. The Selfish Genius has been criticized in The Economist
for failing to fully understand Dawkins' Selfish Gene metaphor, with the reviewer claiming Dawkins accommodates proposed alternative evolutionary mechanism Elsdon-Baker suggests within his own ideas. However a generally positive reception has been seen amongst proponents of group selection
and Philip Ball
wrote a largely positive review in the Times
that acknowledges she is right to ‘call time on a Whiggish view of the History of Evolution’. Popular Science author Brian Clegg
reviewed the book and described it as brilliantly identifying how Dawkins' views sit within the latest theories on evolution.
History and philosophy of science
The history and philosophy of science is an academic discipline that encompasses the philosophy of science and the history of science. Although many scholars in the field are trained primarily as either historians or as philosophers, there are degree-granting departments of HPS at several...
of evolutionary theory by Fern Elsdon-Baker, published in 2009
2009 in literature
The year 2009 in literature involved some significant events and new books.-Events:*8 October - Romanian-born German novelist Herta Müller wins the 2009 Nobel Prize in Literature....
the year that celebrates the 150th anniversary of on the Origin of Species. The book provides an overview of the Historical and Philosophical debates that have continued throughout the history of Evolutionary Theory, and carry on to this day in debates surrounding the merits of gene-centric selection and group selection
Group selection
In evolutionary biology, group selection refers to the idea that alleles can become fixed or spread in a population because of the benefits they bestow on groups, regardless of the alleles' effect on the fitness of individuals within that group....
models. The book is particularly critical of the popular science author Richard Dawkins
Richard Dawkins
Clinton Richard Dawkins, FRS, FRSL , known as Richard Dawkins, is a British ethologist, evolutionary biologist and author...
claiming he portrays a brand of evolutionary theory that states natural selection acts at the level of gene
Gene
A gene is a molecular unit of heredity of a living organism. It is a name given to some stretches of DNA and RNA that code for a type of protein or for an RNA chain that has a function in the organism. Living beings depend on genes, as they specify all proteins and functional RNA chains...
to the exclusion of group selection
Group selection
In evolutionary biology, group selection refers to the idea that alleles can become fixed or spread in a population because of the benefits they bestow on groups, regardless of the alleles' effect on the fitness of individuals within that group....
models that state it could also act at the level of organisms or species. The book also claims Dawkins has an outdated and prescriptive way of understanding evolution that actually restricts debate rather than exciting it.
Acclaim and criticism
The book has provoked controversy with some online commentary claiming it's another 'Flea', a term used by Dawkins to describe people who have published books about him or his ideas. A recent article in New ScientistNew Scientist
New Scientist is a weekly non-peer-reviewed English-language international science magazine, which since 1996 has also run a website, covering recent developments in science and technology for a general audience. Founded in 1956, it is published by Reed Business Information Ltd, a subsidiary of...
titled the "Dawkins Dogma" contains parts of the arguments put forward within the book. The Selfish Genius has been criticized in The Economist
The Economist
The Economist is an English-language weekly news and international affairs publication owned by The Economist Newspaper Ltd. and edited in offices in the City of Westminster, London, England. Continuous publication began under founder James Wilson in September 1843...
for failing to fully understand Dawkins' Selfish Gene metaphor, with the reviewer claiming Dawkins accommodates proposed alternative evolutionary mechanism Elsdon-Baker suggests within his own ideas. However a generally positive reception has been seen amongst proponents of group selection
Group selection
In evolutionary biology, group selection refers to the idea that alleles can become fixed or spread in a population because of the benefits they bestow on groups, regardless of the alleles' effect on the fitness of individuals within that group....
and Philip Ball
Philip Ball
Philip Ball is an English science writer. He holds a degree in chemistry from Oxford and a doctorate in physics from Bristol University. He was an editor for the journal Nature for over 10 years. He now writes a regular column in Chemistry World...
wrote a largely positive review in the Times
Times
The Times is a UK daily newspaper, the original English language newspaper titled "Times". Times may also refer to:In newspapers:*The Times , went defunct in 2005*The Times *The Times of Northwest Indiana...
that acknowledges she is right to ‘call time on a Whiggish view of the History of Evolution’. Popular Science author Brian Clegg
Brian Clegg
Brian Clegg is an English author and popular science writer. He has written a range of popular science books, covering topics including light, infinity, quantum entanglement and surviving the impact of climate change, and biographies of Roger Bacon and Eadweard Muybridge.-Biography:Born in...
reviewed the book and described it as brilliantly identifying how Dawkins' views sit within the latest theories on evolution.