ideons

Ideons are a theoretical concept in evolutionary biology, specifically within the field of memetics, which studies cultural transmission. An ideon is conceived as the smallest indivisible unit of an idea, analogous to a gene in biological evolution. The term was popularized by the philosopher Daniel Dennett, who borrowed it from the geneticist Richard Dawkins.

The core idea behind ideons is that just as genes are replicated and passed down through generations, leading to the evolution of biological organisms, ideas are also replicated and transmitted between individuals, leading to the evolution of culture. An ideon would represent a fundamental concept, a belief, a technique, or any piece of information that can be communicated and reproduced.

The concept suggests that ideons, like genes, are subject to variation and selection. Variations in an idea might arise through misunderstanding, modification, or combination with other ideas. Those ideons that are more easily understood, remembered, or appealing are more likely to be successfully transmitted and thus "selected" for in the cultural environment. Conversely, less effective ideons may fade out.

While the gene is a physical entity (a sequence of DNA), the ideon is abstract, existing in the minds of individuals and in their communications. This abstract nature makes it difficult to empirically identify or measure ideons directly, which is a primary criticism of the concept. Nevertheless, the ideon serves as a useful theoretical tool for thinking about the mechanisms of cultural evolution and the spread of ideas.