This blog post examines the limitations of evolutionary theory as seen through Richard Dawkins’ The Selfish Gene and explores the need to reinterpret it from the perspective of gene integration.
Richard Dawkins, a world-renowned scientist and author, presented a new paradigm for evolutionary theory in his book The Selfish Gene. Dawkins interpreted Darwin’s theory of ‘survival of the fittest and natural selection’ at the gene level, overturning the conventional view that saw individuals or species as the units of evolution. He argued that all living beings are ‘survival machines’ created by genes, entities that act selfishly to pass their genes on to future generations. He further explained that the fundamental purpose of genes is survival and competition; though lacking will, genes are inherently selfish. Yet if survival and competition are genes’ essential goals, why does so much cooperation exist in our societies and ecosystems? Why do humans and animals so strongly favor cooperation? These phenomena are not calculated actions as Dawkins claimed, but rather the very purpose of genes themselves. Therefore, this paper will explain why the essence of genes is integration, not selfishness, through Darwin’s theory of natural selection and the evolutionary process of genes. It will reexamine aspects that ‘The Selfish Gene’ misinterpreted or failed to explain, arguing that the theory of integrative genes is more accurate.
First, to clearly define integration, it signifies the tendency to coalesce with the surrounding environment. This characteristic of genes to coalesce with their environment originates from Darwin’s theory of natural selection. The theory of natural selection posits that individuals compete for survival in nature, and those who survive leave offspring. This was supported by the theory of genetic mutation. Dawkins interprets Darwin’s theory of evolution using the gene as the fundamental unit, arguing that genes compete and survive for the purpose of replication, and that the evolutionary nature of genes is inherently selfish, even if they lack actual will. While agreeing with Dawkins’ assertion that the unit of evolution is the gene, I oppose his interpretation of gene selfishness. The individual, the fundamental unit in Darwin’s theory, possesses free will and competitive ability, but genes are not entities that survive and compete; they are entities selected by nature. That is, genes must prioritize integration—the tendency to coalesce with the surrounding environment—before survival and competition.
Examining the evolutionary process of genes reveals that genes became chromosomes through cohesion, chromosomes formed genomes through cohesion, and genomes formed cells through cooperation. Cells formed colonies through cohesion, colonies formed complex cells (multicellular organisms) through integration, and these multicellular organisms came to constitute today’s living beings. This demonstrates how crucial integration was in the evolutionary process of genes. While it is possible to interpret that genes, possessing a selfish nature, formed chromosomes to survive, the theory that genes possess an integrative nature, adapting to the environment, aggregating with each other, and evolving, is a more appropriate and natural explanation.
Following the evolution from genes to organisms, integration also takes precedence in the evolutionary process of organisms. As evolution advanced, we observe collective societies like ants and bees, the phenomenon of birds migrating in flocks, the herd behavior of mammals, and above all, the densely populated societies of humanity, standing at the pinnacle of evolution. Humans now form societies incapable of functioning alone; calling humanity cooperative enthusiasts is hardly an exaggeration. Many scholars and academic circles argue that organisms living in groups are more stable and evolved. This reflects the integrative nature of the genes responsible for evolution. While it could be explained as a secondary phenomenon arising from prioritizing survival and competition, as Dawkins suggests, the ecosystem revealed by the flow of evolution emphasizes integration.
We now seek to reexamine the culture and altruistic behaviors humanity has achieved through the integration of genes. To explain the culture humans have created, Dawkins introduced the concept of memes. Memes, like genes, prioritize their own replication and possess the nature of spreading through imitation. However, the meme concept lacks a concrete and precise definition, making it difficult to accept as a scientific concept. Furthermore, memes are an incomplete concept introduced to explain phenomena that cannot be accounted for by the selfishness of genes.
Humans gather to form integrated societies, perform acts of kindness, and engage in altruistic behaviors because the instinct of genes aims for integration rather than selfishness. According to the theory of gene integration, evolved humans form societies and cultures to coalesce, share, and feel secure, thereby performing acts of kindness and altruism. This supports the notion that human evolution is progressing toward greater connection and integration.
Richard Dawkins’ book ‘The Selfish Gene’ presented a new paradigm in evolutionary theory, enabling explanations for many biological phenomena. However, Dawkins’ interpretation of Darwin’s theory of natural selection and the nature of genes was flawed. Since the unit of evolutionary theory shifted from the individual to the gene, the content must also shift from selfishness to integration. Examining the evolutionary process of genes reveals that integration takes precedence over selfishness. The meme theory, which was incompletely explained by gene selfishness, can be naturally explained under the theory of integration. Research into life phenomena conducted through the concept of the integrative gene will provide better explanations.
