Richard Dawkins, "The selfish gene"

Résumé du document

In The Selfish Gene, Richard Dawkins elaborates on another perspective of Charles Darwin's theory of evolution, basing his argument on the recent discovery of the DNA molecule's structure. The theory of evolution, which relevance had been largely suffering from a lack of physical validation, now benefits from the irrefutable explanation of the evolution of genes. Starting from the genesis of DNA, Dawkins will show they are our first ancestors, and that mankind exists as a consequence of their survival needs. Whilst all the process doesn't require any morality or will, since the neutral law of nature is sufficient, for all that the author doesn't mean we are condemned to selfishness. Understanding our origins and trajectory helps us decide between two selfish horizons, one of them being more favorable to a peaceful and collaborative world. The text addresses to the whole human species – unfortunately animals cannot read. More a humanist philosopher than a narrow-minded scientist, Dawkins succeeds in vulgarizing and popularizing a strong axiom that could soon modify our own perception of life.

Extraits

[...] Since humans are supposedly born through the evolution of genes, and because altruism is a human creation, altruism or compassion could be equally part of the evolution process: is certain that compassion is a natural felling, which, by moderating the violence of love of self in each individual, contributes to the preservation of the whole species.”[14] For all that this faculty remains our privilege, either on account of our “mental equipment” or our “free will”. Dawkins' first merit seems to be his ability to tie a recent scientific discovery to philosophy of man. He remains one of the few who keep involving humanism in science. Even though his words may sometimes be crude it is hard to accept the possibility that there weren't anything ethereal in our mind, and far from an anthropocentric view of life. [...]

[...] Although not being refuted, Darwinism today seems to be only considered as a truth among others. By linking the DNA structure's evolution to the legitimacy of our social behaviours, Dawkins raises the possibility of a new Copernican revolution that could well get under way: since the evolution of genes is totally deprived of determinism or fatalism, human beings can go against their “selfish genes” and even “upset their designs”[4]. Which implies solidarity and altruism might someday belong to nature, depending on us. [...]

[...] Dawkins lays stress on this kind of amoral process. The struggle for survival is passive, it happens without any will or direction. And it could also be the same non-problem with: “Should we then call the original replicator molecules ‘living'? Who Nothing changes whether life is involved or not. The concept of life could even be obsolete with such a new theory. Naturally, the stronger and better adapted the molecules are (due to errors during the replication process), the better they have chances to “survive” in particular areas. [...]

[...] When saying that is a fallacy [ ] to suppose that genetically inherited traits are by definition fixed and unmodifiable”[11], he justifies his new concept: a meme, as a unit of human cultural evolution, replicated through imitation among a society, which makes possible the transgression of the selfish gene. Even as a philosopher, Richard Dawkins is meticulous and has a very scientific approach with his argument. He sets out all hypotheses before using them, and he right away clarifies his aim: want to explain briefly what sort of an argument it is, and what sort of an argument it is not”. [...]

[...] As a consequence, there could be a place among mankind for short term expressions of solidarity. By helping us understanding our origins, Dawkins could show us a new way to be ourselves, to “rebel against the tyranny of the selfish replicators”. As a product of evolution, we are part of it and can influence its path. On condition that we do not let us be swamped with a non-mastered moral revolution. According to the article Selfish in Wikipedia. The Selfish Gene, Richard DAWKINS, Oxford: Oxford University Press Ibid. Ibid. Ibid. Ibid. [...]