Richard Dawkins Explains What Genes Reveal About the Past

About this episode:

If we go back in time, every single generation would have been the same species as the previous generation and the next generation. So, how can species form?

On this episode, Richard Dawkins explains how the body, behavior, and genes of every living creature can be read as a "book of the dead"—an archive of the worlds of its ancestors.

Dawkins shows that these genetic books offer insights into the history of life, revealing how animals have adapted to challenges over time. He argues that understanding these evolutionary patterns unlocks a nuanced view of the past, allowing us to see the remarkable continuity in how life overcomes obstacles.

Richard Dawkins was Professor for the Public Understanding of Science at Oxford University. His numerous books include The Selfish Gene, The God Delusion, and The Blind Watchmaker.