The replicator in retrospect

The history and theoretical role of the concept of a "replicator" is discus sed, starting with Dawkins' and Hull's classic treatments and working forwa rd. I argue that the replicator concept is still a useful one for evolution ary theory, but it should be revised in some ways. The most important revis ion is the recognition that not all processes of evolution by natural selec tion require that something play the role of a replicator.