Evolution In Richard Dawkins's River Out Of Eden

Throughout the first section of Richard Dawkins’s River Out of Eden, mainly in Chapters 1 and 3, Dawkins discusses how evolution, itself, is gradual. “Do good by stealth. A key feature of evolution is its gradualness” (Dawkins 83). Gradualism in evolution is looked at in depth in both Chapter One, entitled The Digital River, and Chapter Three, entitled Do Good by Stealth, where Dawkins elaborates on the topic even further. Dawkins, a man of somewhat argumentative nature, is quick to shoot down false claims made my Creationists in these chapters, where he uses solid evidence in the scientific world in order to support his view of gradual evolution. Even though the topic of evolution is often a touchy subject, Dawkins dives head first
into converting any non-believers to the side of science and tangible results. He discusses gradualism as a principle, the Argument from Personal Incredulity and how the principle of gradualism refutes it, along with how Chapter 3 complements Chapter 1. Dawkins begin the discussion about the gradualism of evolution being a principle, citing that it is the only device that which can explain the intricacy we witness all around us in nature. He does, however, add that evolution is not always gradual; he cites that sudden occurrences can happen that could cause a species to become extinct or to rapidly evolve. Evolution, he adds, is not always gradual. He then goes on to explain that in order for something complex and intricate, like the eye, evolution must be gradual in order to make such a development. Without gradualism being a key principle in evolution, the development of species simply returns to “miracle, which is simply a synonym for the total absence of explanation” (Dawkins 83). Chapter three also discusses “the Argument of Personal Incredulity” in which Dawkins explains it to be an argument from ignorance or appeal to ignorance, in which there is a lack of evidence to the contrary (Dawkins 70). This term is used to discuss the claims that something is true just because it has not yet been proven false, which is why Dawkins has deemed it with such a name. He then goes on to claim it is a misjudgment in informal logic and warns readers to never take someone seriously that states, “ ‘ I cannot believe that so-and-so could have evolved by gradual selection’” (Dawkins 70). This is because humans are easily fooled and human judgment should not be used in assessing matters such as evolution. Science and logical reasoning alone, Dawkins argues, should handle evolution. Gradualism refutes this “Argument of Personal Incredulity” by saying that just because someone believes an event did not happen does not mean it did not. Claims against gradualism are described by Dawkins as bold allegations based upon ignorance and close-mindedness. The discussion of gradualism in Chapter three relates to the river metaphor and the discussion of speciation in Chapter one quite fluidly; the river metaphor in Chapter one is described as all species starting off in one river and eventually breaking off into their own rivers, each completely separate.
This separation of the river is described as a gradual change in which species came into their beings, which took place over a long period of time. Dawkins mentions in Chapter one that the river that he is referring to is that of DNA, “flowing through time” (Dawkins 4). He describes the river as being full of information and instruction on evolving, an abstract manual on the creation of species. With this being said, it can be seen that Chapter 1 and 3 are complements of each other and are able to support points made in each chapter. Evolution is gradual, as discussed in Chapter 1, further solidified in Chapter 3. Each generation of organisms is a sieve against which replicated and mutated genes are tested, a process that is not only gradual, but one that happens over time. Organisms become better and better as time goes on and are able to build off of what has happened in species before them. “Ancestors are rare, descendants are common,” meaning that good genes make successful organisms, which perpetuate good genes themselves (Dawkins
1). In conclusion, Dawkins is a firm believer in the gradualness of evolution and is able to support this claim throughout both Chapter 1 and 3. Through referring to gradualism as a key principle of evolution, refuting “the Argument of Personal Incredulity” and connecting evolution to the river metaphor and speciation, Dawkins is able to convey an expertise in the field of evolution. Although each and every person is entitled to their own opinions, Dawkins stands firm on his believe of evolution and makes solid and valid assertions in order to sway any non-believers. Valid research and tangible results further add to the validity of Dawkins claims and allow him room to gain credibility, along with new believers.

Works Cited

Dawkins, Richard. Preface. River Out of Eden. New York; Basic Books, 1995. xi-xiii.

---. River Out of Eden. New York; Basic Books, 1995.