[b]Beautiful Minds BBC4, Tuesday 9pm - 10pm
Repeat: BBC4, Tomorrow - 3:10am
Repeat: BBC4, Mon 30 Apr - 12am[/b]
The final instalment of a fascinating series focuses on a more familiar face: evolutionary biologist (and poster boy for atheism) Richard Dawkins. Yet his extraordinary career almost never happened: bookish young Dawkins was a bit of a disappointment to his nature-loving parents; nor did his biology teacher have high hopes.
In his 20s, he was far too busy exploring the brave new world of computers and attending anti-Vietnam war demonstrations to type up his theories. When he eventually did, he admits in a candid interview to regretting the catchy title of that controversial first book – The Selfish Gene. This is a rare glimpse of the man behind the science.
A profile of Richard Dawkins, a British evolutionary biologist who has become as well-known for his outspoken atheism as his scientific work. He discusses his 1976 book The Selfish Gene, which caused controversy in the scientific community, and shares his thoughts on how human beings can break free from being governed by their biological natures. The programme also explores his criticisms of religion and creationist theories. Narrated by Tim Bentinck.
Contributor Richard Dawkins
Narrator Tim Bentinck
Radiotimes
