Selfish genes & population demographics

[Gordon Fitch]

Eric Franz Leher:
> ... 
> So far so good. The problem arises because it is then asserted that the
> existence of maladaptive behaviour refutes the theory. In other words:
> for the theory to make sense, only adaptive behaviour is permitted to
> take place.
> 
> But this isn't correct. Genetic changes in behaviour (and physiology,
> etc) occur on a random basis. Such changes can turn out to be adaptive,
> maladaptive, or neutral in terms of their effects. Maladaptive change is
> not barred by the theory, it is very much a part of it.
> 
> So no empirical difficulty actually exists here.

Yes, but then a political problem arises: Dawkinsism doesn't
do the sort of things the Dawkinsists apparently want it to
do, it isn't predictive enough.  If grossly maladaptive
deviations from self-preservation and -propagation frequently
occur, subtle social effects must be lost in the noise.  That 
won't do, will it?

-- Gordon