Also, every use of the word "every" has exceptions.

Yes, inclusive fitness is a much better approximation than "every living thing tries to avoid death". And gene's-eye-view is better than that. And non-genetic replicators have their place. And evolved things are adaptation executers. And sometimes living beings are just so bad at avoiding death that their "expressed behavioral preferences" look like something else entirely.

I still think my generalization is a highly accurate one and makes the point I wanted to make.