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  LiveWire / Teen Forums / The Intellectual Forum / Viewing Topic

Do you believe in the idea of the "selfish gene"?
Replies: 3Last Post Jan. 21, 2008 11:33pm by Clergyboy
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Choice Votes Percent  
Yes.  It is a logical explanation and extension of Darwin's evolutionary theory. 4 36%
No.  The emergent properties of living things (e.g. their consciousness) are not taken into account.  Genes are not everything. 1 9%
Yes and No.  Please explain... 2 18%
Just gimme the DAMN points! 4 36%
Vote Now! 11 Votes Cast
( TRIPonME )


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After reading Richard Dawkin's The Selfish Gene, I've come to speculate the true motive(s) of altruism; or...is there such thing as altruism in the world?

Dawkin's logic is understandable.  Everyone is for himself/herself.  You cannot deny that of the altruistic deeds that you have done, whether charity or community service, some of them do have hidden goals; altruism is merely a means to an end.  However, in light of the fact that humans and animals (to an unknown extent) have developed a thinking process we believe to be far superior in logically and causally explaining how or why we perform certain actions.  In this case, is the "selfish gene" theory simply an oversimplified (or the brainchild of some crazy guy's attempt to explain the capricious headlines on the newspaper) theory of human action?

All opinions are welcome--scientific, philosophical, or whatever you can think of.

Post edited at 10:48 pm on Jan. 13, 2008 by TRIPonME

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10:46 pm on Jan. 13, 2008 | Joined: April 2007 | Days Active: 77
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The Samsoniteman


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I can't believe you've read that book and still can say "everyone is for himself/herself". The entire idea behind the book is the selfish gene, emphasis on gene being the key.

But broadly you're right, and the theory is sound for now.

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3:49 pm on Jan. 14, 2008 | Joined: June 2004 | Days Active: 1,199
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sophos


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The human survival instinct, unequivocally confirms the existence of this so-called selfish gene, albeit in a very different respect.

However, to definitively conclude that true altruism is an impossibility, would be highly presumptuous.

"Men are judged by their deeds, not their motives."


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8:17 pm on Jan. 21, 2008 | Joined: Aug. 2007 | Days Active: 122
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Clergyboy


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Human beings = animals

animals = brutality

Human beings = brutality

That is why we are called by those ancient prophets "sinned people".

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A man is not justified by the works of the Law,
but through faith in Christ Jesus. [Rom 3:22; 9:30]


11:33 pm on Jan. 21, 2008 | Joined: Sep. 2007 | Days Active: 130
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