Philosophy Dictionary of ArgumentsHome | |||
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Coincidence: coincidence is not the absence of a causal explanation, but the coinciding of several events, which were caused by independent causal chains. The determination of a coincidence belongs to the description level and may express the deviation from an expectation. The property of being accidental is not inherent to events. See also determinism, indeterminism, contingency, necessity, probability._____________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. | |||
Author | Concept | Summary/Quotes | Sources |
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Charles Darwin on Coincidence - Dictionary of Arguments
Gould II 329 According to Darwin, chance could not provide the order that is so obvious in our world. The groups of individuals must first develop a large number of inheritable variations to provide the raw material for later influences. The opponents of Darwin always bring the same litany: Darwin must be wrong: the order cannot arise from chance. (E.g., KoestlerVsDarwin) But that is precisely what Darwin never claimed. Chance only produces the raw material. >Order. Gould: the newer evolutionary theory moves away from the strict Darwinism that has prevailed over the last 30 years. Chance is perhaps not only at work in the generation of the variations: it could also be an equally important part of the evolutionary change. II 330 Chance has a bad reputation, which is due to the role Darwin assigned to it in the production of the raw material. Chance is a candidate as bearer of evolutionary change, but does not threaten natural selection in the area of adaptation. >Selection, >Adaption._____________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. |
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 |