Eh. I read a bunch of his books years ago and was never tempted to reach this conclusion. YMMV. — Srap Tasmaner
The argument of this book is that we, and all other animals, are machines created by our genes. Like successful Chicago gangsters, our genes have survived, in some cases for millions of years, in a highly competitive world. This entitles us to expect certain qualities in our genes. I shall argue that a predominant quality to be expected in our genes is ruthless selfishness.
That's a good question alright. Some argue that rape fantasies have been genetically selected by our evolutionary history, for instance. E.g. our history is one of rape --> we developed some liking to it --> more rapes happened. What would be the moral consequences if it was proven true?The question is how to knit together the blind, mechanical reproduction of genetic material with the layered, complex behavior of the creatures carrying that material. — Srap Tasmaner
The male peacock tail was selected because it pleased the ladies of the species. — Olivier5
The best theory I know is that nice feathers in male birds code for health and fitness, which would be why they are seen as attractive by the ladies in most bird species.It must be, so the myth would have us believe, because partnering with a male with a big tail somehow helps the female's genes to survive. — Banno
Did we need Dawkins to tell us that human nature includes it's fair share of selfishness, greed, egocentrism, and narcissism? — Olivier5
Ach, it fitted the tone of the times, along with Milton Friedman and all that garbage about self interest. — Banno
Here's the odd thing; why does it please the ladies? It must be, so the myth would have us believe, because partnering with a male with a big tail somehow helps the female's genes to survive... — Banno
Not your best argument. — Banno
it fitted the tone of the times, along with Milton Friedman and all that garbage about self interest. — Banno
As for Midgley's tone — Banno
So it seems to go way back.To understand how Midgley became a fierce philosophical rebel, we have to go back to Oxford in the Second World War.
Midgley argued that philosophy is like plumbing, something that nobody notices until it goes wrong.
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