The Selfish Gene
The Selfish Gene
Richard Dawkins
Mark Manson
Mark Manson recommended this book on his website.
Matt Ridley
Turned evolutionary biology on its head and was written like a great detective story. - Matt Ridley
Ev Williams
On the "books read" section of Ev Williams' GoodReads profile.
Brian Armstrong
Famous book about how our bodies are vehicles to replicate our genes (even though we occasionally defy them). - Brian Armstrong
Phil Libin
Had a profound influence on me pretty early on. - Phil Libin
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The Selfish Gene

The Selfish Gene

Richard Dawkins
Richard Dawkins
By
Richard Dawkins
4.2
4965
ratings on Goodreads

In the groundbreaking work "The Selfish Gene," Richard Dawkins masterfully reshapes our understanding of evolution, challenging the traditional viewpoint that centers on the survival of the fittest individual. Instead, Dawkins proposes a riveting new perspective where genes, those fundamental units of heredity, are the true architects of evolutionary progress, driven by an unyielding instinct to replicate themselves. With a narrative that is both accessible and intellectually stimulating, Dawkins not only demystifies complex biological processes but also illuminates how these genetic impulses influence the behavior of organisms, from the simplest bacteria to the complexity of human beings. Through compelling arguments and vivid examples, Dawkins' seminal work extends beyond biology to explore the implications of the selfish gene theory on social behaviors, altruism, and the human condition itself. Published in 1976, "The Selfish Gene" has not only endured but also thrived in the canon of scientific literature, celebrated for its profound insights and its ability to provoke thought on what it means to be a living entity driven by the unseen hand of genes. Dawkins crafts a narrative that is both a testament to the power of science to explain the natural world and a provocative exploration of the genetic underpinnings of our very existence, making it an indispensable read for anyone intrigued by the forces that shape life on Earth.

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Released
1976
1 Jan
Length
360
Pages

12

recommendations

recommendation

Mark Manson recommended this book on his website.
It just seemed to explain everything. - Bob Metcalfe
Mind blowing book. [...] But warning you, it’s too true for most people to handle... - Tai Lopez
Had a profound influence on me pretty early on. - Phil Libin
Turned evolutionary biology on its head and was written like a great detective story. - Matt Ridley
Explains more about life (including human behavior and myself) than anything else I’ve read. - Nick Szabo
Famous book about how our bodies are vehicles to replicate our genes (even though we occasionally defy them). - Brian Armstrong
I had to read [this book] twice before I fully understood it. - Charlie Munger
An explanation of evolution since the beginning of life that explains things from the perspective of individual genes. - MMM
Influenced my books. - David Deutsch
On the "books read" section of Ev Williams' GoodReads profile.
Most people don't realize that the origin of the word 'meme' is [this book]. - Elon Musk
Let us try to teach generosity and altruism, because we are born selfish. Let us understand what our own selfish genes are up to, because we may then at least have the chance to upset their designs, something that no other species has ever aspired to do.
— Richard Dawkins, The Selfish Gene

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