  A historical dispute in the conceptual underpinnings of evolution is the
validity of the gene centered view of evolution. \cite{dawkins,lewontin} We
transcend this debate by formalizing the gene centered view as a dynamic
version of the mean field approximation. This establishes the conditions under
which it is applicable and when it is not. In particular, it breaks down for
trait divergence which corresponds to symmetry breaking in evolving
populations.
