Aggression :/

All the chapters of the book, The Selfish Gene, have a way to describe life in a different way. It uses different parts of the novel to show different aspects of life in the point of view of Dawkins. This raises the question, "Which of these descriptions is true and which is false?" In chapter 5 of the book the genes are described to have strengthened their instinct and awareness of the other genes that are dangers to their elimination in the natural selection process. These machines with minds of their own are aware that they can be deceived easily and if done, they shall not be victorious in the selection. The spots in the selection are few and any competition from any species could be detrimental to the gene. the selection not only chooses the genes by the greatness of the specie, but it also values how well the gene uses its surroundings and environment for survival.

A genes environment includes everything around it at all times. Not only does it include the rocks, rivers, and setting; but it also includes the other genes which are also in the rigorous race for survival. In order to use all of its environment to help its chance for survival, the gene must use the other genes in its environment to its advantage, and it must use the other genes' skills to help them with their own chances in the race. This "using other species for your own good" became known as an individual interpretation of animal aggression. This made known that it was not only the homosapiens who could and would kill their own species in order to win the benefit of the situation, the other species would also kill and do whatever they could to get them further ahead in the race to survival.

What the species in the race fail to realize is that it would be more beneficial to them to be more like doves. These harmless creatures have been in the race for a long time and do not deceive their own family specie or any other specie alive in their environment, even if they cause a threat to their chance of survival. Being like a dove would help them because it is easier to be selected as a group them to be enemies always on the lookout for the other, killing each other off as life goes on without the help of natural selection. Instead, each specie uses its talents and strengths to try and outwit the other genes. This theory is a conspiracy and the only negative effect of a conspiracy is that it, like the trust once held within the species, can be abused. People can add and take away from conspiracies according to their own personal morals and beliefs. most people agree with this conspiracy of the most beneficial thing for all is to act like harmless doves, but the ones who strongly disagree and have good arguments against it will make conflicts with anyone and everyone. This leads us to the answer that each description depends on your own point of view. Dawkins gives his ideas as another option to add or think about other than your own.

Genes + Machines ?

In chapter 4 of The Selfish Gene, Dawkins describes how early replicators made themselves "survival machines" in order to protect themselves from other replicators. Within time these machines begin to navigate and move around by wings, legs, fins, and etc. Along with these new advancements, the machines also begin to develop consciousness and imagination. These mutations to the early survival machines helps in their struggle and fight for survival. This makes them have their own personality, and it allows them to think on their own. These brains allow them to defend themselves from their predators not only by instinct, but by intelligence as well.

The development of communication also came to be with the brains that developed in the machines. Communication became very important within the genes, but along with the good this new advancement brought, there also came the defect of lies. The genes figured that communication was vital and those who abused it could at times gain advantage of the other genes. With this, Dawkins paints a picture of the early brains being simple devices that became more complex in time. being that genes are not just single celled organisms, they do not just mindlessly replicate. They now have brains and thoughts to which affect everything they do.

Single celled organisms replicate mindlessly and exactly the same every time. The only time there may be a change is when a mutation occurs. When this happens, the organism changes only slightly. Eventually in time the organism will change drastically but it would take a long time for so many mutations to take place.

Chapter 3 The Selfish Gene

In chapter 3, Dawkins describes how all things are different and unique. Although this is true, it is also true thats all things are made by one molecule... DNA. This chemical chain is the basis of our life. Without this life chain we would not be able to live, and we would all be exactly the same. This theory led Dawkins to believe that everything came from some sort of replicator that was somehow able to preserve its patterns and some of its genes. This is how we all came to be. The future generations from the replicators makes us similar and the slight mutations and changes in the patterns and genes causes our unique DNA.

How a gene helps its host and how in return the host will help provide for its genes. This double sided effect is essential for the survival of both the host and the gene. While they make a great team and work off each other, they may also be the worst of enemies and work against each other. if a gene has the wrong chromosomes and genetic makeup for the host, and it is causing a disadvantage for the survival of the host, then the host will leave it and it will die off on its own without help and nutrients. this does not only hurt the gene, it also makes it harder for the host to find genes to carry.

When the host dies, the gene pool dies with it. In humans, the gene pool begins to fade when you are younger and it is already empty by the time you hit that end of the road. The genes die off and leave the body in all ways possible. This cleanses your body and decreases the amount of genes and DNA in your body so by the time you die, your genes will have dissolved and disappeared. This is Dawkins way of describing how all things work and why they are the way they are.

chapter 1-2 The Selfish Gene

In chapter 1 of The Selfish Gene, Dawkins describes the race of evolution and of survival between all species. The word "describes" is in italics because of the very common mistake made in the world where people say that Dawkins explains the race of evolution. To explain something means to tell how something should be, while when you describe something, you use adjectives, other descriptive words and examples to show how that particular thing is.

Dawkins describes that each specie must change and must be able to adapt to its surroundings. with evolution and the advances in technology, the environment is constantly changing. If the specie cannot change itself to work in its new environment, then it will die off with all other species which could not change to adapt themselves.

Dawkins also describes how all genes have a selfish personality. They are all said to want to be the best in order to pass the test of "survival of the fittest. each specie is willing to do anything in order to take out competition and make sure they are safe within the game, but because not all were made to be able to adapt to all the hardships, some are eliminated and become extinct. This process is inevitable. From the minute you enter the world, you are submitted into the race and must strive to be the winner.

In chapter 2, Dawkins talks about DNA. he says that it is the most successful and productive replicator in the world. He treats them as if they are living things. He says that they develop more elaborate shells over time to protect themselves and their vital, complex, and hard work. this is somewhat true considering that all DNA had some sort of "skin" and "vessel" to cover and protect it from any outside dangers.

Like all other species, DNA had to go through the process of elimination as well. only the fit and useful DNA was kept within the species while the unnecessary DNA eventually died out. this process brought us to the complex and grand DNA we have today, but the process will continue and new DNA will continue to form as the old will continue to die out.

talk about hyperbole!!!

In chapters 6 and 7 of Voltaire's Candide, Voltaire shows much exaggeration, or hyperbole towards the characters. Just like many teachers show towards their students, exaggeration of any type is bad. Good exaggeration, such as picking favorites, can cause harm to the direct person by making him or her become conceded and even sometimes lazy. It also hurts the people around the student. it may cause them to be jealous, or it may hurt them inside because they may feel that they are inferior to that person. On the other hand, bad exaggeration can be horrid! If someone ever shows a bad feeling towards you, depending on their position of power, it can be dreadful or just not nice. In the case of Candide, the Portuguese officers show much hyperbole in the sense that they kill random people just because they think it will make the world safer. Because of the recent and deadly earthquake, the officers choose certain people whom they find are different or contradict their beliefs, and they kill them. Pangloss was one of these men who was killed. They murdered him because of his outspoken opinions and they persecute Candide for being his friend and not disagreeing with him.

Candide soon changes his perspective of life. Pangloss had changed it once before to a very optimistic view, and now that he was killed, Candide had no one to reinforce this way of thought. He returned to his original ways and thought of the earthquake and other things as negative and not just as "the best of both worlds." Ironically, soon there after, a strange woman finds Candide and takes care of him just as he had done for Pangloss. After she does this, she takes him to meet his real benefactor Conegounde.

Candide chapters 4-5

In Candide's chapters 4-5, Candide shows a kind and humble disposition, and helps a strange man whom he meets on the street, as a deformed beggar named Pangloss. Little does he know that this man who he unselfishly helped, ends up becoming his best friend. Pangloss has very strange ideas about life, but they interest Candide. He teaches Candide his unchangeable theory of life. This theory, that all things in life happen for the better, is a way of life in which only optimistic people can adapt to. Pangloss has used this theory as a guideline for his way of living life. In order to follow this way of life, your mind must be able to change its original way of thinking, and see everything in life as a positive aspect. Even in the worst of times, you must be able to believe that whatever it is that is ocurring is for the better and that only good can come out of it. Pangloss contracted Syphallis and even in this hard and horrific time, he believes that the sickness is the best of both worlds. He was poor and did not have anywhere to go in life. Candide hires him as his own personal bookeeper and because he knows better then to leave his friend without professional help, seeks a doctor to help cure him of his fatal disease.

When the doctor hears of Pangloss´ theory of life, he tries to convince him otherwise but fails in his attempt to do so. The doctor retaliates by saying, “men have somehow corrupted Nature.” God never gave men weapons, he claims, but men created them “in order to destroy themselves.

Later on in the fifth chapter, Voltaire shows how men, when given privileges, become greedy and do things that they might have thought hypocritical before. Candide, Pangloss, and the sailor are the only men that survive a terrible shipwreck. Once they manage to reach an island they see that it is the island of Lisbon and it has just experienced a terrible earthquake which left some dead and many wounded. The sailor finds stray money on the island and decides to use it to get drunk and pay women for sex; meanwhile, Candide and Pangloss try to help the victims of the catastrophe and tell them that it was for the better to help them psychologically and they also try to provide as much medical care as possible.

Should they have helped totally and complete strangers, who most of had no chance of surviving, or should they have done what the sailor did and spent the money on material things for themselves? The answer depends on your morals and how greedy you are as a person.