Richard Dawkins : how a scientist changed the way we think : reflections by scientists, writers, and philosophers

With the publication of the international bestseller __The Selfish Gene__ some thirty years ago, Richard Dawkins powerfully captured a newly emerging way of understanding evolution--a gene's eye view. Dawkins went on to publish five more bestselling books, including __The Blind Watchmaker__ and __Unweaving the Rainbow__. He is one of the most high profile public intellectuals today and any attempt to understand the scientific view of the world must grapple with his ideas. Now, in this exciting collection of original essays, some of the world's leading thinkers offer their take on how Dawkins has changed the way we think. Readers will find stimulating pieces by Daniel Dennett, the renowned philosopher of mind and author of __Darwin's Dangerous Idea__; Steven Pinker, the brilliant Harvard linguist who wrote __The Language Instinct__ and __The Blank Slate__; Matt Ridley, author of the bestselling __Genome__; and James Watson, who with Francis Crick discovered the structure of DNA, arguably the greatest scientific discovery of the last century. Dawkins' widely admired literary style forms the subject of several pieces, including one from novelist Philip Pullman (author of the bestselling __His Dark Materials__ trilogy). As one of the world's best known rationalists, Dawkins' stance on religion is another theme in this collection, explored by Simon Blackburn, Michael Ruse, Michael Shermer, and the Bishop of Oxford. Numbering twenty in all, these articles are not simply rosy tributes, but explore how Dawkins' ideas have shaped thinking and public debate, and include elements of criticism as well as thoughtful praise. Richard Dawkins' work has had the rare distinction of generating as much excitement outside the scientific community as within it. This stimulating volume is a superb summation of the depth and range of his influence. [pt. 1]. [pt. 1]. [pt. 1]. -- Andrew F. Read -- The [pt. 1]. -- Andrew F. Read -- The -- Helena Cronin [pt. 1]. -- Andrew F. Read -- The -- Helena Cronin -- John Krebs [pt. 1]. -- Andrew F. Read -- The -- Helena Cronin -- John Krebs -- Michael Hansell -- [pt. 2]. The [pt. 1]. -- Andrew F. Read -- The -- Helena Cronin -- John Krebs -- Michael Hansell -- [pt. 2]. The [pt. 1]. -- Andrew F. Read -- The -- Helena Cronin -- John Krebs -- Michael Hansell -- [pt. 2]. The -- Marian Stamp Dawkins -- The [pt. 1]. -- Andrew F. 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Grayling -- Marek Kohn -- David P. Barasch -- [pt. 7]. [pt. 4]. -- Michael Ruse -- The -- Patrick Bateson -- Robert Aunger -- [pt. 5]. -- Martin Daly -- and -- Margo Wilson -- Randolph M. Nesse -- [pt. 6]. -- The -- Michael Shermer -- A -- Richard Harries -- A.C. Grayling -- Marek Kohn -- David P. Barasch -- [pt. 7]. -- Matt Ridley [pt. 4]. -- Michael Ruse -- The -- Patrick Bateson -- Robert Aunger -- [pt. 5]. -- Martin Daly -- and -- Margo Wilson -- Randolph M. Nesse -- [pt. 6]. -- The -- Michael Shermer -- A -- Richard Harries -- A.C. Grayling -- Marek Kohn -- David P. Barasch -- [pt. 7]. -- Matt Ridley -- Philip Pullman [pt. 4].-- Michael Ruse-- The-- Patrick Bateson-- Robert Aunger-- [pt. 5].-- Martin Daly-- and-- Margo Wilson-- Randolph M. Nesse-- [pt. 6].-- The-- Michael Shermer-- A-- Richard Harries-- A.C. Grayling-- Marek Kohn-- David P. Barasch-- [pt. 7].-- Matt Ridley-- Philip Pullman With The Publication Of The International Bestseller The Selfish Gene Some Thirty Years Ago, Richard Dawkins Powerfully Captured A Newly Emerging Way Of Understanding Evolution - A Gene's Eye View. Dawkins Went On To Publish Five More Bestselling Books, Including The Blind Watchmaker And Unweaving The Rainbow. He Is One Of The Most High Profile Public Intellectuals Today And Any Attempt To Understand The Scientific View Of The World Must Grapple With His Ideas. Now, In This Exciting Collection Of Original Essays, Some Of The World's Leading Thinkers Offer Their Take On How Dawkins Has Changed The Way We Think. Readers Will Find Stimulating Pieces By Daniel Dennett, The Renowned Philosopher Of Mind And Author Of Darwin's Dangerous Idea; Steven Pinker, The Brilliant Harvard Linguist Who Wrote The Language Instinct And The Blank Slate; Matt Ridley, Author Of The Bestselling Genome; And James Watson, Who With Francis Crick Discovered The Structure Of Dna, Arguably The Greatest Scientific Discovery Of The Last Century. Dawkins' Widely Admired Literary Style Forms The Subject Of Several Pieces, Including One From Novelist Philip Pullman (author Of The Bestselling His Dark Materials Trilogy). As One Of The World's Best Known Rationalists, Dawkins' Stance On Religion Is Another Theme In This Collection, Explored By Simon Blackburn, Michael Ruse, Michael Shermer, And The Bishop Of Oxford. Numbering Twenty In All, These Articles Are Not Simply Rosy Tributes, But Explore How Dawkins' Ideas Have Shaped Thinking And Public Debate, And Include Elements Of Criticism As Well As Thoughtful Praise. Richard Dawkins' Work Has Had The Rare Distinction Of Generating As Much Excitement Outside The Scientific Community As Within It. This Stimulating Volume Is A Superb Summation Of The Depth And Range Of His Influence. Ballooning Parrots And Semi-lunar Germs / Andrew F. Read -- The Battle Of The Sexes Revisited / Helena Cronin -- Richard Dawkins: Intellectual Plumber -- And More / John Krebs -- What Is A Puma? / Michael Hansell -- Living With The Selfish Gene / Marian Stamp Dawkins -- The Gene Meme / David Haig -- The Intelluctual Contribution Of The Selfish Gene To Evolutionary Theory / Alan Grafen -- An Eye On The Core: Dawkins And Sociobiology / Ullica Segerstrale -- The Selfish Gene As A Philosophical Essay / Caniel C. Dennett -- The Invention Of An Algorithmic Biology / Seth Bullock -- Selfish Genes And Information Flow / David Deutsch -- Deep Commonalities Between Life And Mind / Steven Pinker -- Richard Dawkins And The Problem Of Progress / Michael Ruse -- The Nest's Tale: Affectionate Disagreements With Richard Dawkins / Patrick Bateson -- What's The Matter With Memes? / Robert Aunger -- Selfish Genes And Family Relations / Martin Daly And Mrgo Wilson -- Why A Lot Of People With Selfish Genes Are Pretty Nice Except For Their Hatred Of The Selfish Gene / Randolph M. Nesse -- The Perverse Primate / Kim Sterelny -- The Skeptic's Chaplain: Richard Dawkins As A Fountainhead Of Skepticism / Michael Shermer -- A Fellow Humanist / Richard Harries -- Dawkins And The Virus Of Faith / A.c. Grayling -- To Rise Above / Marek Kohn -- What The Whale Wondered: Evolution, Existentialism, And The Search For 'meaning' / David P. Barash -- Richard Dawkins And The Golden Pen / Matt Ridley -- Every Indication Of Inadvertent Solicitude / Philip Pullman. Edited By Alan Grafen And Mark Ridley. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. This sparkling collection explores the impact of Richard Dawkins as scientist, rationalist, and one of the most important thinkers alive today. Specially commissioned pieces by leading figures in science, philosophy, literature, and the media, such as Daniel C. Dennett, Matt Ridley, Steven Pinker, Philip Pullman, and the Bishop of Oxford, highlight the breadth and range of Dawkins'influence on modern science and culture, from the gene's eye view of evolution to his energetic engagement in public debates on science, rationalism, and religion. The volume includes personal reminiscences and critical debate as well as accessible discussions of science - it provides a stimulating tribute to a remarkable intellectual. This sparkling collection explores the impact of Richard Dawkins as scientist, rationalist, and one of the most important thinkers alive today. Leading figures from science, philosophy, literature, and the media reflect on the breadth and range of Dawkins' contributions to science and public debate, from evolutionary theory and artificial life, to rationalism and ethics. - ;This sparkling collection explores the impact of Richard Dawkins as scientist, rationalist, and one of the most important thinkers alive today. Specially commissioned pieces by leading figures in science, philosophy, litera Published to coincide with the 30th anniversary of 'The Selfish Gene', this collection explores the impact of Richard Dawkins as scientist, rationalist, and one of the most important thinkers alive today