Genetic anthropomorphism

In evolutionary biology, genetic anthropomorphism refers to "thinking like a gene". The central question is "if I were a gene, what would I do in order to reproduce myself". The question is an obvious fallacy; genes are incapable of thought. However, natural selection does act in a such a way that those that are most successful at reproducing themselves (by following the optimum strategy) prosper. Thinking like a gene enables the results to be visualised. This is related to a philosophical tool known as the intentional stance.

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The most notable genetic anthropomorphist was the British biologist W.D. Hamilton. Hamilton's friend Richard Dawkins popularised the idea.

It is important to think like a gene rather than an organism.

Anthropomorphism has been criticised on a number of grounds, including that it is reductionist.