Philosophy Dictionary of ArgumentsHome
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| Lamarckism: Lamarckism is an early theory of evolution proposed by Jean-Baptiste Lamarck in 1809. It is based on the idea that acquired characteristics can be inherited by offspring. For example, Lamarck believed that if a giraffe stretched its neck to reach leaves on high branches, its offspring would be born with longer necks. See also Evolution, Darwinism, Adaption._____________Annotation: The above characterizations of concepts are neither definitions nor exhausting presentations of problems related to them. Instead, they are intended to give a short introduction to the contributions below. – Lexicon of Arguments. | |||
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J.-B. de Lamarck on Lamarckism - Dictionary of Arguments
Gould I 78 ff Lamarckism/Lamarck/Gould: There are recent social science theses that try to push themselves into the Darwinian frame of reference. For example, when we talk about a "hereditary" burden of poverty, alcohol or crime, it is usually thought that the sins of the fathers have an effect far beyond the third generation through direct inheritance. That corresponds rather with Lamarck than Darwin. I 81 DarwinVsLamarck/Gould: Darwin's theory of selection is more complex than Lamarckism, as it requires two independent processes instead of one force. >Darwinism, >Selection, >Evolution. If the temperature drops and a denser fur would be useful for survival, the genetic variation towards a denser fur does not begin with increased frequency. Selection, i. e. the second step, starts with an undirected variation and changes a population by increasing the reproductive success of the favoured variants. The essential difference between Darwinism and Lamarckism is that Lamarckism is basically a theory of directed variation. I 83 Lamarckism/Koestler/Gould: Lamarckism lives on at least in widespread fantasies. Especially Koestler strongly defends him: "The Case of the Midwife Toad" here he is doing an honorary rescue for the Austrian supporter of Lamarck, Paul Kammerer.(1) I 84 Gould: I believe that Lamarckism remains attractive for two reasons: when viewed superficially, they often seem to be confirmed: E.g. different titmouse species learned to put their beaks into English milk bottles and to drink the cream at the top of the lid's edge. In doing so, they have created a new selection pressure by changing their environment. Differently shaped beaks are now favoured by natural selection, but the new environment does not induce tits to produce a genetic variation towards more favorable beak shape. This and only this would be Lamarckist. I 86 Lamarckism/GouldVsLamarck: Lamarckism is untrue in the area it has always occupied as its special domain, as a biological theory of inheritance. Nevertheless, it can (although only by analogy) apply to the "inheritance" in a completely different kind of "evolution": in that of human culture. >Culture, >Inheritance. 1. A. Koestler (1972). Der Krötenküsser. Wien, München: Molden._____________Explanation of symbols: Roman numerals indicate the source, arabic numerals indicate the page number. The corresponding books are indicated on the right hand side. ((s)…): Comment by the sender of the contribution. Translations: Dictionary of Arguments The note [Concept/Author], [Author1]Vs[Author2] or [Author]Vs[term] resp. "problem:"/"solution:", "old:"/"new:" and "thesis:" is an addition from the Dictionary of Arguments. If a German edition is specified, the page numbers refer to this edition. |
Lamarck I J.-B. Lamarck Zoological Philosophy New York 1963 Gould I Stephen Jay Gould The Panda’s Thumb. More Reflections in Natural History, New York 1980 German Edition: Der Daumen des Panda Frankfurt 2009 Gould II Stephen Jay Gould Hen’s Teeth and Horse’s Toes. Further Reflections in Natural History, New York 1983 German Edition: Wie das Zebra zu seinen Streifen kommt Frankfurt 1991 Gould III Stephen Jay Gould Full House. The Spread of Excellence from Plato to Darwin, New York 1996 German Edition: Illusion Fortschritt Frankfurt 2004 Gould IV Stephen Jay Gould The Flamingo’s Smile. Reflections in Natural History, New York 1985 German Edition: Das Lächeln des Flamingos Basel 1989 |
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> Counter arguments against Lamarck
> Counter arguments in relation to Lamarckism
Ed. Martin Schulz, access date 2024-04-29