The Selfish Gene Theory
A gene-centered perspective describes how inherited variants persist through selection.
The Mechanism: Gene-centered views describe natural selection through the differential persistence of heritable variants. The phrase selfish gene is a metaphor for replication dynamics, not a claim that genes possess conscious motives.
The Philosophical Pivot: A useful explanatory level is not necessarily the only real level. Organisms, groups, and environments also matter, and debate continues about how selection operates across them.
The Horizon: The metaphor can clarify why behaviors that look selfless may evolve, but it can also tempt people to treat competition as the essence of life. Biology includes cooperation and mutual dependence as well.
Evolutionary explanations do not prescribe how people ought to behave. What persists in nature is not automatically morally desirable in human society.
A theory about inherited patterns cannot decide the meaning of a choice made by a person living now.
Genes do not need intentions for their effects to shape living systems.
When I call selfishness natural, am I describing how something evolved or excusing how I choose to act?