The concept of the "selfish gene", introduced in 1976 by Richard Dawkins in his book of the same name, is used to express the notion that the unit of selection in which evolution operates is that of genes, as opposed to that of individuals or groups. To evaluate whether viewing genes as selfish is helpful to any extent, it is necessary to first consider the theoretical underpinnings of the gene-centered view of evolution, particularly as it relates to the problem of altruism. We will also discuss alternatives to the selfish gene hypothesis – the claim that the unit of selection in evolution is instead the individual or the group – and evaluate the evidence supporting or contrasting these views. We will then consider the evidence for and against the selfish gene hypothesis, in order to determine whether it is the optimal explanation for the unit of selection in which evolution operates, and therefore whether it is useful to consider genes as “selfish”. An alternative proposal that evolution may operate on different units of selection under different circumstances will also be discussed and evaluated. Finally, the connotations of the term “selfish” in relation to genes will be taken into consideration. Ultimately, it will be argued that most evidence in the field best supports the claim that evolution operates at the level of genes, and while perhaps there are cases where the best explanation is provided by appealing to a different unit of selection, this is not true. simply an artifact of the fact that genes and individuals very often share a common fate. It will also be discussed that although the term “selfish” lends itself to some imprecise connotations, it is a useful term that expresses a crucial aspect of evolution. Genes are selected… center of paper… in a useful way: it provides a pragmatic and useful heuristic tool for thinking about selection. When invoking the individual or group as the unit of selection for evolution, altruistic behavior cannot be sufficiently explained. Examples of altruism can, however, be understood if we consider that the genes that endure are those whose evolutionary consequences serve their interests – that is, they continue to replicate – rather than those of the organism. Although the interests of the individual organism and its genes generally tend to be aligned, in cases where an animal is seen to behave altruistically, they are actually acting in favor of the preservation of their genes rather than their individual existence. The concept of a selfish gene usefully expresses this notion: while the gene is selfish, it leads to altruistic acts..