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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the most stable result of the specific ESS simulation Dawkins describes?

2. What does ESS stand for?

3. In the science fiction story Dawkins cites, what do the instructions make?

4. What does Dawkins postulate would preserve a gene forever?

5. What does Dawkins postulate maintains sexual reproduction as a feature?

Short Essay Questions

1. What examples does Dawkins give of humanity's valuation of its own species?

2. What is a cistron?

3. What does Dawkins have to say about the phrase "to ensure the survival of the species?"

4. Why doesn't Dawkins find it statistically remarkable that an early molecule would arise that would copy itself?

5. How do genes directly and indirectly control behavior?

6. Describe the comparison that Dawkins makes regarding a gangster.

7. In war of attrition scenarios, what is the best bet for individual behavior, according to Dawkins' reports?

8. What happens to genes in sexual reproduction?

9. Describe "crossing over."

10. Explain why Dawkins speculates that cannibalism might make sense within his selfish gene theory.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Darwin's treatment of siblings in The Selfish Gene.

1) In what ways are siblings in competition? Why doesn't competition between siblings typically escalate to deadly competition?

2) In what ways do siblings cooperate or benefit each other?

3) How do the relationships between siblings vary between species in the natural world, and how does this relate to Dawkins' overall theory.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss Dawkins' ideas about communication as presented in The Selfish Gene.

1) How does Dawkins define communication?

2) What is the role of lying in the natural world and in survival? How does lying relate to Dawkins' ideas in The Selfish Gene?

3) What altruistic roles does communication play? What selfish roles can communication play in the natural world? How does Dawkins refute ideas that communication is essentially altruistic and functions for the good of the species?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the biological appearance of purpose in The Selfish Gene.

1) Why do biological structures appear like they have a purpose? What examples does Dawkins give of things in nature that appear to have purpose?

2) What examples does Dawkins give of machines and other things that only appear to have purpose?

3) How convincing are Dawkins' arguments that systems can appear to have purpose without actually having intention? Why does Dawkins give these arguments?

(see the answer keys)

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