Philosophy Dictionary of ArgumentsHome
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| Selection: Selection in evolution theory is the process by which organisms with beneficial traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on those traits to their offspring. This process leads to changes in the population over time. See also Evolution, Darwinism, Mutation, Fitness, Survival._____________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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Charles Darwin on Selection - Dictionary of Arguments
Gould I 53 Selection/Darwin: suggested two types of sexual selection. (a) competition among male members of a species for access to females, and (b) a selection made by the females themselves. Gould I 54 WallaceVsSexual Selection: it attaches too much importance to the "wanting" of animals. It puts emphasis on characteristics, which are rather hindering for a well-functioning machine. GouldVsWallace, who had an exaggerated idea of the effectiveness of the selection, abruptly stopped short of the brain. He argued that our morality and our intellect cannot be the product of natural selection. However, since it is the only way to develop forms, a divine being must have intervened. Nowadays, absurdly, an attitude is called "Neo Darwinism" which is much closer to Wallace's rigorous selectionism than to Darwin. >Selection. Gould IV 266 Natural selection/Darwin: admitted that two authors before him had discovered the natural selection: Patrick Matthew, Scottish naturalist and fruit grower, 1831. Williams Charles Wells, famous doctor, member of the Academy of Sciences. IV 269 William Charles Wells: clarified a mistake regarding a disease with large black spots on the skin of white people. They are by no means genealogically or otherwise very similar to people of color. IV 270 Black skin: has an advantage in hot climates. This is the traditional Darwinian argument! In fact, it is about the combination with other characteristics, e. g. better protection against tropical diseases accidentally paired with darker skin. IV 271 Wells: Recognized that animals cannot be considered as an amalgam of independent parts. That was new at the time. IV 272 Selection/tradition, old view: the fight between individuals within a population. Selection, new: Wells preferred variants cannot assert theirselves in stable populations with a large number of individuals! Inheritance/Mendel: (Mendel's results have not yet been known to Wells): Mendel: preferred characteristics are often caused by mutation, and these characteristics cannot be diluted by crossbreeding with normal individuals. The mutation may not be phenotypic (if it is recessive) in the next generation, but it does not disappear. Selection, new: Today, increased attention is paid to group selection. IV 273 Variation: everybody knew at Wells' time that organisms vary. However, experience from dog breeding cannot be transferred to the development from fish to humans._____________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 |
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Ed. Martin Schulz, access date 2024-04-18