evolution beyond the race or species, can be studied from the viewpoint of the genes. From this perspective, individual living beings are nothing but biological machines programmed as recipients of genes with the ultimate goal being forwarded to the next generation. All our actions, including allegedly altruistic responding to selfish and only aim of our genes: perpetuate endlessly. This popular book I devoured four or five years ago, and I see no better time to discuss it than the same month that marks the two hundred years of Darwin's birth.
Dawkins is an ethologist (student of behavior) and focuses on developments in a way that makes all living beings (including humans) in the fruit of thousands automata of millions of years of selective breeding of conservation mechanisms and transmission of genes.
To find a completely mechanical point enunciated replicator theory: in a distant past, there was a molecule (actually could have been several) with the ability to copy itself from chemicals that would be in their environment. If we add to this molecule Carbonless billions of years, occasionally errors occur in the copies and the most efficient molecule to propagate their copies would be that we would end up imposing the DNA, which in turn protects external aggression protein layer covering each Once they possess more complex functions and reach the cell ... more millions of years, more errors in the copies and most natural selection on those copies ended up taking the spectrum of all forms of life we \u200b\u200bknow today.
Another central idea of \u200b\u200bthe book is that, however altruistic behaviors consider some animals (including humans again) really are selfish actions of our genes because it shows that although they may harm a specific individual, are positive for the perpetuation of genes. For example: the leader who defends the herd, you are actually ensuring the survival of many individuals with a very similar proportion of genes His own, whereupon the loss of his own individual existence is a small sacrifice that ensures the transmission of these genes to future generations. This explains
events as diverse as differentiation between the sexes (very pronounced in some species) and the various strategies used by animals to survive.
As the book proceeds, stability appears to be the factor that will determine whether a mutation will succeed or not, ie, the evolution is shown as a result of a mathematical system framed in the Theory of Games (yes, that he developed the mathematician John Nash, who was based in the movie "A Beautiful Mind").
This explains in accessible to the general public and with many examples of physical characteristics or behavior of animals which very clearly illustrate its points.
personally, is one of the best popular science books I've read and I think it is an indispensable work for anyone who wants to know the evolution from a different approach originally expressed by Darwin.
My rating: very good
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