In The Selfish Gene, Richard Dawkins crystallized the gene's eye view
of evolution developed by W.D. Hamilton and others. The book provoked
widespread and heated debate. Written in part as a response, The
Extended Phenotype gave a deeper clarification of the central concept
of the gene as the unit of selection; but it did much more besides. In
it, Dawkins extended the gene's eye view to argue that the genes that
sit within an organism have an influence that reaches out beyond the
visible traits in that body - the phenotype - to the wider
environment, which can include other individuals. So, for instance,
the genes of the beaver drive it to gather twigs to produce the
substantial physical structure of a dam; and the genes of the cuckoo
chick produce effects that manipulate the behaviour of the host bird,
making it nurture the intruder as one of its own. This notion of the
extended phenotype has proved to be highly influential in the way we
understand evolution and the natural world. It represents a key
scientific contribution to evolutionary biology, and it continues to
play an important role in research in the life sciences. The Extended
Phenotype is a conceptually deep book that forms important reading for
biologists and students. But Dawkins' clear exposition is accessible
to all who are prepared to put in a little effort. Oxford Landmark
Science books are 'must-read' classics of modern science writing which
have crystallized big ideas, and shaped the way we think.
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The Long Reach of the Gene
Produktdetaljer
ISBN
9780192506238
Publisert
2020
Utgiver
Oxford University Press Academic UK
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Digital bok
Forfatter