A Political Science View of the Selfish Gene
Having been interested in genetics since I was in grade school, my perspective can be a little tunnel vision. So I like to read how others with different backgrounds view genetics.
Political science professor Kenneth C. Blanchard considered the concept of the selfish gene from the viewpoint of male mammals’ involvement in raising offspring from polar bears to humans. Because it’s easier for men to spread their genes via “cheap” sperm, they are more inclined to abandon their children.
It would be nice to think that human beings are above all this. But we aren’t. We may be more than animals, but we are at least animals. We share genes with the lions and the polar bears, and the fruit flies for that matter. Men are far more likely to abandon their offspring than mothers. Fortunately, human males are much more inclined toward parental investment than are most mammals. The presence of the biological father in the household is the best indicator that the children will be provided for, and that they will not be abused. We are not the slaves of our genes. But Dawkins reminds us that, when attempting to understand our nature, it would be best not to forget them.
Not quite sure what his final point is. Is Prof. Blanchard saying that while we may try to overcome the influence of our genes, if it doesn’t work out, we should just shrug our shoulders and say, “How typical of genes. That’s just the way nature made them.” Selfish genes begetting selfish people?
no, i think he is trying to say that genes bias us in particular directions so all of our efforts at self-improvement will not be equally easy to achieve. to be plainer, i think he means that even if the chasm across the canyon is wider that does not mean that bridging it is impossible, but we have to rework the parameters for the bridge we are going to construct….
razib: Thanks for helping me work that out. I read it several times and reached a snarky conclusion. haha But, seriously, it is hard to figure out sometimes how much of our heritage is genetic vs. social/behavioral.
This is another great find. Your blog is a regular stop on my blog visits.
Thanks, Deb. I look forward to you stopping by too!