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The central aim of this accessible book is to show how the gene's-eye view differs from the traditional organismal account of evolution, trace its historical origins, clarify typical misunderstandings and, by using examples from contemporary experimental work, show why so many evolutionary biologists still consider it an indispensable heuristic.
List of contents
- Preface
- Introduction: A New Way to Read Nature
- 1: Historical Origins
- 2: Defining and Refining Selfish Genes
- 3: Difficulties of the Theory
- 4: Inclusive Fitness and Hamilton's Rule
- 5: Empirical Implications
- Conclusion: The Gene's-Eye View Today
About the author
J. Arvid Ågren is a Wenner-Gren Fellow at the Evolutionary Biology Centre at Uppsala University, Sweden. His research focuses on genomic conflicts and he has published widely on their biology and implications for evolutionary theory.
Summary
The central aim of this accessible book is to show how the gene's-eye view differs from the traditional organismal account of evolution, trace its historical origins, clarify typical misunderstandings and, by using examples from contemporary experimental work, show why so many evolutionary biologists still consider it an indispensable heuristic.
Additional text
'This book's conversational style, clear presentation and well-planted surprises make it ideal for both general readers and students in a broad range of fields. The selfish gene is alive and well and continues to inspire and irritate, which is why we see gene level arguments of fans and critics alike in past and present debates. Best of all, as we follow the gene's eye view around in Agren's book, we find ourselves educated about current views in exciting subfields-from evolutionary systems theory to Major Transitions and Selfish Genetic Elements- and rewarded with a treasure trove of references.'
