The Selfish Gene (by Richard Dawkins)

"The Selfish Gene" by Richard Dawkins presents the idea that genes are the fundamental units of natural selection. It suggests that organisms are like survival machines for their genes, which are focused on replication and persistence. Genes behave in ways that maximize their own survival, often influencing an organism’s behavior to increase reproductive success. This perspective explains traits like cooperation, altruism, and competition as strategies genes use to promote their own propagation across generations. Dawkins emphasizes that looking at evolution from the gene’s point of view provides a clearer understanding of biological complexity and behavior.