The Selfish Gene at 50 - A philosopher’s perspective
In this lecture Samir Okasha, Professor of Philosophy of Science and Biology, will argue that Richard Dawkins’ book "The Selfish Gene" published 50 years ago left a lasting mark on evolutionary biology, and that many of his key insights still hold today. He will also briefly consider its relevance for understanding human behaviour.
Main content
About the lecture (held in english)
Richard Dawkins’ book The Selfish Gene, first published in 1976, had a powerful impact on the practice of evolutionary biology, on the popular understanding of evolutionary ideas, and on a number of other academic disciplines. In this talk Samir Okasha, Professor of Philosophy of Science and Biology offer some philosophical reflections on the intellectual context and legacy of Dawkins’ work. He will examine the core tenets of the “gene’s eye view of evolution” and consider their status in the light of modern biological knowledge. He will argue that despite the criticisms levelled against Dawkins’ views, and despite the scientific advances of the last fifty years, many of his insights are importantly correct and stand the test of time. Finally Okasa will reflect briefly on whether the doctrine of the selfish gene has any implications for understanding human behaviour.
The speaker
Samir Okasha is professor of philosophy of science and biology at University of Bristol, UK. He currently holds an ERC Advanced Grant on Representing evolution. He is the author of several books including Very Short Introductions to Philosophy of Science (2002) and Philosophy of Biology (2019), as well as Agents and Goals in Evolution (2018) and Evolution and the Levels of Selection (2006).The wonderfully concise A Very Short Introduction to the Philosphy of Science is used as curriculum in the first-semester intro course Ex. Phil. for students in Bergen.
Practical information
The lecture is intended for a wide audience, and is part of the Horizons seminar series of the Faculty of Science and Technology dedicated to big questions.
- Everybody is welcome!
- The lecture starts at 16.15, on Tuesday 24th of March 2026 in Egget at Studentsenteret.
- Light refreshments will be served from 15.45.
Find the event on Facebook (soon). See poster from Darwin Day 2026 in Bergen.
Organisers
This lecture is a joint event organised by the Horizon Lecture Committee at the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Technology, the Darwin Day Committee at the Department of Biological Sciences, and Academia Europaea Bergen Hub. The lecture receives economic support from Selskapet til Vitenskapenes Fremme.
