ALTRUISTIC

The Webster definition of altruistic is “unselfish regard or devotion of the welfare of others”. Dawkins completely contradicts this definition by saying that we just protect ourselves by protecting our genes. It is true that our blood relatives have some of our same genes, but are humans really that selfish? Do our lives revolve around miniscule particles inside our cells? I personally like to believe that humans are less shallow than that. In fact, I believe that being humans is making our own decisions, priorities, and life’s. We aren’t “programmed” to follow a rulebook. I do believe “animals may be pre-programmed in such a way that it behaves” (pg96) through instincts, but I can’t believe my life purpose is protecting my genes.

Maybe Dawkins is wrong, we aren’t selfish, and things like love might exist. We might protect our families because we love them and enjoy having time with them. Dawkins in his previews chapters explained that we by logic try to repeat things that are “good” (produce endorphins, satisfy us…), then protecting our families are protecting the things we enjoy.