14 min listen
Selfish Genes and Abstract Elephants: The Misuse of a Metaphor
Selfish Genes and Abstract Elephants: The Misuse of a Metaphor
ratings:
Length:
23 minutes
Released:
May 18, 2021
Format:
Podcast episode
Description
In this first episode of a two part series on the battle between philosopher Mary Midgely and biologist Richard Dawkins, I look at the issue of whether genes can be selfish as per Dawkins' immensely popular book The Selfish Gene. In particular, I'm going to talk about Midgely's attack on Dawkins' ideas in the pages of the journal Philosophy in October 1979 and Dawkins' reply to her in the same journal in October 1981. It's quite a bit of philosophy nerd entertainment as things get heated and more than a bit informative as Midgely levels a series of sharp criticism at an idea that some people think has too much intellectual currency.
Released:
May 18, 2021
Format:
Podcast episode
Titles in the series (61)
Qualia: Consciousness and the Limits of Science by On The Very Idea - A Philosophy Podcast