The Selfish Gene Chapter Summary

For this week’s lectures, we had three different readings. Two of which were from the book called “The Selfish Gene,” by Richards Dawkins; chapters six and ten. The other was chapter nine from “The Hadza: Hunter-Gatherers of Tanzania by Frank W. Marlowe. In chapter six from “The Selfish Gene,” they initially introduce the idea that organisms with similar genes want to help other organisms with similar genes that way those genes will have a better chance of survival. Dawkins’ argument is that this theory can be proved by observing altruism and essentially nepotism. It often tends to be observed that animals are more likely to protect their own families and so one could definitely say this is true, but also their are times when there is murder …show more content…
This seems to be one of those odd areas way in the end we may never get a real answer because every specie could differ on reasoning. The second reading, the other one by Dawkins, explains another reason why we might be willing to help others This is because ultimately it could benefit us to help them if they are willing to return the favor. Thus, increasing our own survival rate. It is interesting because this does happen in a world of politics and business as well. We often hear about the behind the scenes deals that go on that seem to help no one, but Wall Street and the politicians who get funds from them. Again it would seem as though we must work together and create alliances in order to survive (or in a modern context be successful). In this chapter, the author discussed food sharing and cooperation among the Hadza. They explained that most of the time this only happens within a family. This, of course, makes sense because they want to provision for their children. Also, it makes sense because each of the parents can split up, hunt/gather, and then share the food between the parents and the