(March 4, 2016 at 1:39 pm)Alex K Wrote:(March 4, 2016 at 11:42 am)Old Baby Wrote: I still get confused on evolution, like when Dawkins talks about natural selection perhaps favoring gay men because they make good uncles, I'm like... what?
Dawkins' claim to fame is his gene centric view of evolution outlined in "The Selfish Gene" and "The extended Phenotype" (though oddly not published in te peer reviewed literature). It roughly goes as follows - a gene which increases the probability that males are homosexual might get passed on more efficiently because it makes sure that its carriers more likely have gay relatives helping with the rearing and do not attempt to kill and replace the offspring with their own. The gene boosting the homosexuality ratio does not need to get passed on by the homosexual individuals themselves to be selected for.
Yeah... I don't get it. I don't get how a gene "makes sure" of anything. It makes it sound like the gene is conscious and making selections while stroking its goatee. I'm 100% sure that it's a breakdown in my understanding of science and not in your explanation.
