factual

Mutation Need Not Be Random for Selection

Natural selection of memes works even though meme mutation is engineered rather than random, because what matters is not randomness but that there is variation, competition, and differential success; genetic mutation is random only in the sense that it is not directed toward improvement, not that it is uncaused.

factualpending

Speaker

Richard Dawkins

Evidence Quote

what's more important is that it's random with respect to improvement so there's no tendency for for mutation to be as it were anticipating what's necessary for survival

Source

174 - Life MindMaking Sense with Sam Harris
Created: 6/14/2026, 2:37:27 AM

My Notes

Loading notes...