Computational Model Library

Dawkins Weasel (1.0.0)

Dawkins Weasel is a NetLogo model that illustrates the principle of cumulative selection. Inspired by Richard Dawkins’s thought experiment in The Blind Watchmaker (1986), the model contrasts random change with selection that preserves partial improvements.

The model evolves a string of characters toward a user-defined target phrase, allowing users to explore how mutation rate, number of offspring, and the presence or absence of selection affect the speed and likelihood of convergence. It was created for use in biology classrooms to support instruction on evolutionary mechanisms and common misconceptions about randomness and selection.

Screenshot v1.2.0.png

Release Notes

This model is compatible with NetLogo 6.1.1.

Associated Publications

This release is out-of-date. The latest version is 1.2.0

Dawkins Weasel 1.0.0

Submitted by Kristin Crouse Published Feb 08, 2018 Last modified Jan 28, 2026
evolution dawkins natural selection cumulative selection education

Dawkins Weasel is a NetLogo model that illustrates the principle of cumulative selection. Inspired by Richard Dawkins’s thought experiment in The Blind Watchmaker (1986), the model contrasts random change with selection that preserves partial improvements.

The model evolves a string of characters toward a user-defined target phrase, allowing users to explore how mutation rate, number of offspring, and the presence or absence of selection affect the speed and likelihood of convergence. It was created for use in biology classrooms to support instruction on evolutionary mechanisms and common misconceptions about randomness and selection.

Release Notes

This model is compatible with NetLogo 6.1.1.

Cite this Model

Kristin Crouse (2018, February 08). “Dawkins Weasel” (Version 1.0.0). CoMSES Computational Model Library. Retrieved from: https://www.comses.net/codebases/6042/releases/1.0.0/

Replication of a previously described model

This model is an independent implementation of Richard Dawkins’s “Weasel” thought experiment described in The Blind Watchmaker (1986). While many implementations of this thought experiment exist, this model was written from scratch for instructional use and is not a replication of a specific previously published computational model.

References

Dawkins, R. (1986). The Blind Watchmaker: Why the Evidence of Evolution Reveals a Universe Without Design. New York, NY: W. W. Norton & Company.

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Contributors
Kristin Crouse
External Repository
github.com/kncrouse/DawkinsWeasel
DOI

This DOI is for the parent Codebase and always points at the most recent published version of this model. 10.25937/896q-ra68

Model Version
1.0.0
License
AFL-3.0
Programming Language
NetLogo
Software Framework
NetLogo
Operating System
Operating System Independent
Publish Date
Thursday, February 08, 2018
Last Updated
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
Downloads 1712
This release has not been reviewed but a different version has passed peer review.
Version Submitter First published Last modified Status
1.2.0 Kristin Crouse Wed Jan 28 21:56:23 2026 Wed Jan 28 21:58:09 2026 Published
1.1.0 Kristin Crouse Tue Feb 4 04:57:14 2020 Wed Jan 28 21:58:06 2026 Published Peer Reviewed DOI: 10.25937/gnyf-ej33
1.0.2 Kristin Crouse Thu Nov 21 08:31:23 2019 Wed Jan 28 21:58:04 2026 Published
1.0.1 Kristin Crouse Thu Nov 21 08:14:52 2019 Wed Jan 28 21:58:04 2026 Published
1.0.0 Kristin Crouse Thu Feb 8 20:23:22 2018 Wed Jan 28 21:58:05 2026 Published

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