[lbo-talk] Re: language of contempt

[Gar Lipow]

On 6/7/06, Miles Jackson <cqmv at pdx.edu> wrote:
> This is a common misunderstanding of evolutionary theory.  What matters
> is reproductive success, not survival.  Granted, often these go hand in
> hand, but survival in and of itself is not selected for by evolutionary
> processes.
>
> Simple example: imagine a highly aggressive individual who can take food
> and resources from weaker members of the species and engages in
> aggressive behavior if this is challenged.  This pattern of behavior
> enhances the individual's personal chance of survival.  Further imagine
> that this pattern of behavior stigmatizes the individual so that no one
> wants develop a social relationship with the person.  This aggressive
> individual would have very poor reproductive success, because he/she has
> few opportunities for sexual relations and does not effectively protect
> and nurture offspring.  --From an evolutionary perspective, the crucial
> thing is not survival; it is getting genes to the next generation of
> humans who in turn reproduce.
>
> Miles
>

Or to put it more concisely: Living organisms are disposable containers for DNA.

Don't remember who I stole this from. Dawkins?