03.11.10
Dawkins and the ‘selfish gene’ (disguised) ideology
James said,
March 11, 2010 at 1:54 pm ·
“I suggest you look up how many scientific papers with original data were published by Dawkins in the past 40 years. You’ll be very disappointed.”Dawkins is, no doubt, a prolific writer, but he ended up proving something unintentional: quantity and quality are mutually exclusive.
Dawkins is a sharp fellow who picked up on Hamilton’s work in the sixties and produced the ‘selfish gene’ packaging that proved so successful both as propaganda and as pied piper glitz for the Darwin peanut gallery.
I wouldn’t underestimate his ability to tweak the minds of the Dawin faithful, whatever his science credentials.
The selfish gene formulation is basically a success as (crypto-capitalist) ideology, and behind the groupies lie powerful groups who promote this agenda in private, one reason for the invisible promotion and success of his work.
The selfish gene is the perfect cover for an ideological promotion of market reasoning. The connection is beautifully concealed, indeed, witness the sad fate of Midgely when she tried to expose Dawkins. He counterattacked on quibbles and put her on the defensive. But she was basically right.