God's Utility Function

by Richard Dawkins

This chapter from "River Out of Eden" argues that the only purpose of life is the survival of DNA; understand this, and all the inefficiency, unfairness and cruelty in the world makes sense.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Religion, Biology, Evolution, Popular Science

64 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

Reviews

[Dane Cobain · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little work of pure brilliance is a great introduction to Dawkins' work, an explosive eye-opener that's an astounding work in its own right, despite being an extract from River Out of Eden.

[Joe Brazington · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very insightful yet methodical analogy of the natural world done with the convincing precision only Dawkins can provide. Here Dawkins looks into the why? of life surrounding us and the "utility function" that each organism must surely operate under. I actually found myself becoming emotional towards the end of the book because of how it seemed to correct my misconceptions of life and nature. The fact this was all accomplished in just over 50 pages and is in fact just a part of a larger book points at the skill of Dawkins' craft. Genius.

[Sarah Morgan Sandquist · Rating 3 out of 5]

This slim excerpt perfect reply details the concept of the utility function in biology. Three stars only because i felt that it was a poor selection from the realm of nature writing, evolution and the rest of Dawkins' works.

[Dave Clarke · Rating 3 out of 5]

one of my emergency train books, for when i finish a book early, and I'm on the commute ... Dawkins hardly ever disappoints, and this is him at his sparkly best, even in this heavily abridged version ...

[Tony Lawrence]

Reading this cut-and-paste extract of Dawkins’ River Out of Eden I came to a realisation: a Dawkins’ book is like a Mandelbrot [set] in that it is an recursive explanation of the basics of evolution; mutation & adaptation, natural selection, but mostly the power and ‘purpose’ of DNA. The utility function from the title refers to an economics term for the inferred purpose of a system or belief to maximise something, i.e. what is it trying to achieve.

I enjoy Dawkins’ writing but don’t always understand it. The last lines just about sums it up, a religious mantra for the non-believers, ‘[DNA] … no design, no purpose, no evil and no good, nothing but blind pitiless indifference … DNA neither cares nor knows. DNA just is. And we dance to its music’. My younger self had bit more to say about this.

(22/12/2014) *snip* This mini extract from River out of Eden perfectly sums up the nature of the human condition, the utility function of the title being what we are, our existence defined by the need to pass on our DNA. Interesting little discourses on the sex ratio and the 'as if by design' challenge for Darwinians. Strange that I've just finished The Shack - a bigger contrast one could not imagine! Thanks for sharing Rebecca, and Merry Christmas :)

[DJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given this Little Book as a pre-taster to the works of Richard Dawkins as I had just picked up a copy of his "THE GOD DELUSION" which I have wanted to read for quite some time.Kirsteen who gave me the little copy of this book has on numerous occaisions offered to lend me her copy but as I have never studied Natural Science,I felt it would take me too long to work my way through it,to fully understand the scientific terminology.
This is a little Gem of a book and Pr.Dawkins writes exactly as he talks,It was like having him wired straight into my Brain.
I now cannot wait until I get to read "THE GOD DELUSION"and I am sure that I will follow on with more of his books!

Sidenote for anyone who may wait for a review from me on the afore mentioned book...It will be awhile as I intend to read DARWINs "THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE","THE ORIGIN OF SPECIES" and "DARWIN"before I read it.....

[Goran Petrovic · Rating 5 out of 5]

quite insightful