MARK McCORMICK,
Sir, - In The Origin of Species Charles Darwin conceded that the state of the fossil record was "the most obvious and gravest objection which can be urged against my theory". The innumerable intermediate fossils anticipated by evolutionary theory quite simply did not exist, and the record is no kinder to Darwin today.
William Reville's attempt (Science Today, September 12th) to reconcile the anomaly of altruism with the essentially selfish impulses demanded by natural selection suggests that Darwinism fares no better when measured against the reality of human experience. Although the "selfish gene" theory is inadequate to explain any form of love, its poverty is most apparent when considering friendship. Dr Reville avers that "because the relationship is mutually beneficial, each has an interest in the welfare of the other and this underpinned the evolution of the human tendency to form bonds of friendship". Prompted perhaps by his own experience of friendship, he immediately steps back from this utilitarian absurdity and adds the caveat that "none of this reasoning is consciously felt".
But are all friendships mutually beneficial? In strictly evolutionary terms the development of a friendship is beneficial only if it assists in the promotion of one's own genetic material. This is not always the case in such a relationship. Indeed, a strong friendship may distract from the necessary task of winning a suitable reproductive partner.
However, this is not the greatest difficulty caused by the selfish gene model. Dr Reville contradicts all the implications of his article by concluding that "the concept of free will remains valid". This is an extraordinary leap of faith as free will can be exercised only by an individual who is conscious of his options. If, as he claims, the reasoning and genetic forces which drive love and friendship are not consciously felt, how can free will be exercised over them? The slave who remains ignorant of his bondage can never rebel.
So, if natural selection is to proceed at a conscious level we are faced with the anomaly of selfless love; by switching it to the unconscious genetic level we are left a with blind biological determinism which is unacceptable even to Dr Reville.
The real nature of human love therefore remains as recalcitrant to evolutionary theory as the fossil record. Perhaps it's time to ditch the theory. - Yours, etc.,
MARK McCORMICK,
The Tramyard,
Inchicore,
Dublin 8.