Unit of selection and Confirmation of Evolutionary Theory" provides a basic "philosophical" introduction to the debate. Below, cases of selection at the genic, cellular, individual and group level from within the multi-level selection perspective are presented and discussed. George C. Williams in his influential book "Adaptation and Natural Selection" was one of the first to present a gene-centered view of evolution with the gene as the unit of selection, arguing that a unit of selection should exhibit a high degree of permanence. Richard Dawkins has written several books popularizing and expanding the idea. According to Dawkins, genes cause phenotypes and a gene is
The Edge of Evolution a whole; common descent and natural selection he accepts without question but questions the scope and power of random mutation to produce beneficial mutations that lead to novel, useful structures and processes. He terms "Darwinian evolution" the type of evolution relying on all three of these factors, applies the label "Darwinists" to scientists who hold the view that Darwinian evolution is the only existing form of evolution, and who take exception to intelligent design as well as other theistic and non-theistic complexity theories. Behe's central assertion regarding Darwinian evolution is that it exists, but that it is better at disturbing