Dive into the fascinating world of evolution and its complex hierarchies. Explore where natural selection truly operates—from genes to groups. Discover the pivotal role of genes and the debates surrounding multilevel selection theories. Engage with ideas on replicators, interactors, and adaptative manifestors. Challenge traditional views on group versus individual selection while unraveling the intriguing interplay of selfishness and altruism in evolution. It's a thought-provoking journey into the very essence of life!
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Where Does Natural Selection Act?
Natural selection's fundamental question is where it happens in the biological hierarchy.
The range spans from genes to species, sparking debate on whether selection is single-level or multilevel.
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Selfish Gene as Selection Unit
Richard Dawkins argues the gene is the primary level for selection, not groups or species.
He describes individuals as 'survival machines' programmed by selfish genes to propagate themselves.
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Four Categories of Selection Units
Lisa Lloyd identifies four categories for units of selection: replicator, interactor, manifestor of adaptation, and beneficiary.
This framework helps clarify complex debates about what evolves and how selection acts.
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In 'The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex', Darwin extends his theory of evolution to humans, discussing how humans evolved from pre-existing forms and the role of sexual selection in this process. The book compares human physical and psychological characteristics to those of other animals, arguing that humans and other species share a common ancestry. It also explores the differences between human races and sexes, and the evolutionary basis of human behaviors and moral qualities. The work challenges the idea of special creation and argues for the continuity between humans and other animals in both anatomy and mental faculties[2][4][4].
On the Origin of Species
Charles Darwin
Published on November 24, 1859, 'On the Origin of Species' by Charles Darwin is a seminal work in scientific literature. The book presents a comprehensive theory of evolution, arguing that species evolve over generations through the process of natural selection. Darwin supported his theory with evidence collected during his voyage on the HMS Beagle, as well as from subsequent research, correspondence, and experimentation. The book addresses the struggle for existence, the variability of species, and the principle of divergence, explaining how natural selection leads to the adaptation and diversification of life on Earth. It has been a cornerstone of evolutionary biology and has had significant impacts on both scientific and public discourse[2][4][5].
The selfish gene
Lalla Ward Richard Dawkins
Richard Dawkins
In 'The Selfish Gene', Richard Dawkins presents a gene-centred view of evolution, arguing that genes are the primary units of selection and that they behave selfishly to ensure their own replication. The book explains concepts such as kin selection, inclusive fitness, and the evolutionarily stable strategy, highlighting how these mechanisms can lead to altruistic behaviors in organisms. Dawkins emphasizes that the 'selfishness' of genes is a metaphorical concept, describing their evolutionary consequences rather than any intentional behavior. The book has been influential in shaping modern evolutionary thought and remains relevant today[1][3][5].
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While evolution is how life on earth came to be, where does the evolution occur? At what level of the hierarchy of life—from genes to individuals to groups to species—does evolution work its selection magic? Is it multilevel?
Featuring interviews with Richard Dawkins, Lisa Lloyd, Peter Godfrey-Smith, Paul Griffiths, Elliott Sober, and Samir Okasha.
Closer To Truth 
