In article <01bc459e$082011c0$b64792cf at mycomputer>,
Joe Potter <joe.potter at worldnet.att.net> wrote:
> I took the words of Mr. Moran to be on the original topic that started all
>of this --- that Dr. Eldgrede has pointed out in his 1995 book that sex is
>a paradox from the "ultra-Darwinist" point of view. Your words seems to
>support that.
>> What is your position on Eldredge's claim that sex represents a problem
>for those like Dawkins who see game as simply the contest to leave as many
>copies of one's own genes?
I realize this is addressed to Joe, but may I butt in? Is it *really*
Dawkins' view that the "game" is to leave as many copies of ones genes?
I find it difficult to believe that Dawkins, of all people, would resort
to such a goal-oriented model of evolution. Except in rare cases, the
future of a gene depends on it's carrier - i.e., on the ability of
individuals carrying it to survive and reproduce relative to those not
carrying it. I don't think Dawkins would say otherwise (though I
obviously don't speak for Dawkins), and it seems to me that you are
presenting a strawman argument.
And I still don't understand the fixation on Eldredge's opinions. Do you
want to discuss evolution of sex or a particular individual's views on
what he perceives to be someone else's model of gene evolution?
Rich Kliman
Dept. of Biology
Radford University
