Natural Selection: Revisiting Its Explanatory Role in Evolutionary Biology

Description

This book contests the general view that natural selection constitutes the explanatory core of evolutionary biology. It invites the reader to consider an alternative view which favors a more complete and multidimensional interpretation. It is common to present the 1930-1960 period as characterized by the rise of the Modern Synthesis, an event structured around two main explanatory commitments: (1) Gradual evolution is explained by small genetic changes (variations) oriented by natural selection, a process leading to adaptation; (2) Evolutionary trends and speciational events are macroevolutionary phenomena that can be accounted for solely in terms of the extension of processes and mechanisms occurring at the previous microevolutionary level. On this view, natural selection holds a central explanatory role in evolutionary theory - one that presumably reaches back to Charles Darwin's Origin of Species - a view also accompanied by the belief that the field of evolutionary biology is organized around a profound divide: theories relying on strong selective factors and those appealing only to weak ones. If one reads the new analyses presented in this volume by biologists, historians and philosophers, this divide seems to be collapsing at a rapid pace, opening an era dedicated to the search for a new paradigm for the development of evolutionary biology. Contrary to popular belief, scholars' position on natural selection is not in itself a significant discriminatory factor between most evolutionists. In fact, the intellectual space is quite limited, if not non-existent, between, on the one hand, "Darwinists", who play down the central role of natural selection in evolutionary explanations, and, on the other hand, "non-Darwinists", who use it in a list of other evolutionary mechanisms. The "mechanism-centered" approach to evolutionary biology is too incomplete to fully make sense of its development. In this book the labels created under the traditional historiography - "Darwinian Revolution", "Eclipse of Darwinism", "Modern Synthesis", "Post-Synthetic Developments" - are thus re-evaluated. This book will not only appeal to researchers working in evolutionary biology, but also to historians and philosophers." Contents Chapter 1: Introduction: In Search of a New Paradigm for the Development of Evolutionary Biology 1.1 The Domino Effect 1.2 A New Alliance 1.3 A New Paradigm: Seeking New Historiographic Labels References Part I: Crossing Perspectives About Evolution: Historians Versus Biologists Chapter 2: Cathedrals, Corals and Mycelia: Three Analogies for the History of Evolutionary Biology 2.1 Introduction 2.2 The Historiography of Evolutionary Biology and the Place of Natural Selection Within It 2.3 Scientist and Humanist Historiographies of Evolutionary Biology 2.4 Beyond Corals and Cathedrals: Do We Need a New Analogy for the HH? 2.5 Conclusion References Part II: Different Views of Charles Darwin Chapter 3: Guiding a Train of Discoveries: Charles Darwin, Charles Daubeny, and the Reception of Natural Selection, 1859-1865 3.1 Introduction 3.2 A Good Body of Working Men: Sunday, Christmas Day, 1859. Down House, Downe, Kent 3.3 Improving Our Moral and Intellectual Faculties: Wednesday, June 27, 1860. Sheldonian Theatre, University of Oxford 3.4 The Necessity of Further Inquiries: Thursday, June 28, 1860. Oxford University Museum 3.5 The Best Weapon for Future Research: Saturday, June 30, 1860. Oxford Botanic Garden 3.6 Some Most Interesting Work with Orchids: Saturday, June 30, 1860. Sudbrook Park, Richmond 3.7 Guiding a Train of Discovery: Wednesday, June 28, 1865. Guildhall, Tiverton, Devon 3.8 Conclusion: Great Principles as Powerful Engines of Discovery: Sunday, February 16, 1838. Somerset House, London References Chapter 4: Natural Selection as a Mere Auxiliary Hypothesis (Sensu Stricto I. Lakatos) in Charles Darwin´s Origin of Species 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Rhetorical Strategies in the Origin of Species 4.3 The Network of Life Resisting Natural Selection 4.4 A Process (Natural Selection) Producing an Imaginary Pattern (Divergence) 4.5 Explanatory Precedence of Pattern Over Process: Putting the Broad Framework in Place 4.6 Channeling the Action of Natural Selection 4.7 Blocking the Action of Natural Selection: Stability, Equilibrium, and Cyclicity 4.8 Dismissing the Action of Natural Selection 4.9 Natural Selection as an Auxiliary Hypothesis 4.10 Conclusion References Chapter 5: Natural Selection in Ernst Haeckel´s Legacy 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Darwin on Evolutionary Mechanisms 5.3 Natural Selection and Sexual Selection in the Generelle Morphologie 5.4 Haeckel on Natural Selection in the Late Publications 5.5 Non-selectionist Mechanisms in Haeckel´s Works 5.6 Haeckel´s View of Variation and His Theory of Heredity 5.7 Conclusion Supplementary Materials References Part III: Rethinking a So-Called Intermediary Period Chapter 6: The Origins of Theoretical Developmental Genetics: Reinterpreting William Bateson´s Role in the History of Evolutio... 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Materials for the Study of Variation and Heredity 6.2.1 Bateson on Variation 6.2.2 Bateson and Heredity Before Mendel´s Law 6.3 Bateson as a Developmental Geneticist 6.3.1 Bateson on Mendelism 6.3.2 The Action of Unit-Characters in Controlling Development 6.4 Bateson´s Critique of Darwinism 6.4.1 The First Clash with Darwinism 6.4.2 The Study of Developmental Genetics Is Opposed to Gradual Evolution 6.5 Conclusion: The Delay of the Unmodern Synthesis References Chapter 7: Recasting Natural Selection: Osborn and the Pluralistic View of Life 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Forms and Phases of Anti-Darwinism 7.3 Tetraplasy as an Alternative to Epistemological Reductionism in Life Sciences 7.4 Experimentalism and Paleontological Observation 7.5 The Elysian Fields of Mystery 7.6 Conclusion: Simpson, Osborn, and the ``Premature Synthesis´´ References Part IV: Other Evolutionary Syntheses Chapter 8: Little Evolution, BIG Evolution: Rethinking the History of Darwinism, Population Genetics, and the ``Synthesis´´ 8.1 Did Population Genetics Save Darwinism? 8.2 Historiography: The Traditional View 8.3 Darwin´s Central Problem 8.4 The Perspective of the ``Founders´´ 8.5 Macroevolution and Microevolution 8.6 Julian Huxley´s ``Modern Synthesis´´ 8.7 Paleontology and ``Macroevolution´´ 8.8 Sociopolitical Dimensions of the Synthesis 8.9 Broader Implications Apologia References Chapter 9: When Panpsychism Met Monism: Why Did the Philosopher Theodor Ziehen Become a Crucial Figure for the Evolutionary Bi... 9.1 Introduction 9.2 Who Is Who in German Evolutionary Biology: The First and the Second Darwinian Revolutions in Germany 9.3 Theodor Ziehen´s Life Path 9.4 Theodor Ziehen´s Philosophy 9.5 Bernhard Rensch´s Panpsychistic Identism as a Philosophy of Universal Evolutionism 9.6 Once Again: Why Was Bernhard Rensch So Fascinated by Theodor Ziehen? 9.7 Conclusions References Chapter 10: Inertia, Trend, and Momentum Reconsidered: G. G. Simpson-An Orthogeneticist? 10.1 Introduction 10.2 Creating the Hero of the Modern Synthesis 10.3 On the Origin of the Term ``Parallelism´´: Orthogenesis and Paleontologists 10.3.1 Scott´s Parallelism 10.3.2 Schindewolf´s Parallelism 10.4 Simpson and Orthogenesis 10.4.1 Simpson´s Parallelism 10.5 Conclusion: Orthogenesis Arises from Ashes Like a Phoenix References Chapter 11: The Concept of Natural Selection in Theodosius Dobzhansky: Its Development and Interpretation 11.1 Introduction 11.2 Theory Development: 1915-1927 11.2.1 Dobzhansky vs Filipchenko on Natural Selection 11.2.2 Early Hypothetical Role of Natural Selection in Speciation 11.2.3 Natural Selection in Dobzhansky´s Research Program 11.3 Genetics and the Origin of Species (1927-1951) 11.3.1 Introduction 11.3.2 Level 1: Individual Organisms 11.3.3 Level 2: Groups of Organisms: Short Time Scale Early Importance of Selection Continuing Importance of Selection Heterozygote Superiority Maintains Adaptability Role of Isolation in Maintaining Adaptability Relative Roles of Drift and Selection Drift and Selection Equally Important 11.3.4 Level 3: Groups of Organisms: Long Time Scale 11.4 Natural Selection in the Classical and Balance Theories (1951-75) 11.4.1 The Classical Theory 11.4.2 Comparing Theories in the Light of Observation 11.5 Biological Interpretation of Natural Selection 11.5.1 Reasons for Ambivalence About Natural Selection Introduction Evolution Without Natural Selection Selective Neutrality of Alleles Causal Efficacy of Natural Selection Cannot Be Demonstrated by Experiment Critical Timing of Isolation Uncertainties Associated with the Selection: Balance Controversy Discussion and Conclusions 11.5.2 Did Dobzhansky Participate in the Hardening of the Synthetic Theory of Evolution? The First Ground The Second Ground Discussion and Conclusions 11.6 Religious Interpretation of Natural Selection 11.7 Conclusions References Part V: New Lights on Recent Developments Chapter 12: What´s Natural About Natural Selection? 12.1 Introduction 12.2 Charles Darwin 12.2.1 Natural Selection, Gradualism, and the Origin of Species 12.2.2 Natural Selection and Development 12.3 Saltation and Development: Evolution and Non-Darwinian Thought 12.3.1 Thomas Henry Huxley: Darwin´s Slavish ``Bulldog´´? 12.3.2 Thomas Henry Huxley and Development 12.3.3 St. George Mivart, Saltation, and Development 12.3.4 When Is an ``Intermediate´´ Not an ``Intermediate´´? 12.3.5 William Bateson 12.4 Thomas Hunt Morgan 12.4.1 Saltationist and Anti-Darwinian 12.4.2 Natural Selection 12.4.3 Morgan Goes Gradual 12.5 Toward an Evolutionary Synthesis? 12.5.1 Ronald A. Fisher 12.5.2 J.B.S. Haldane 12.5.3 Sewall Wright 12.6 Was the ``Modern Evolutionary Synthesis´´ a Synthesis? 12.6.1 Gavin de Beer: Development Versus Genetics 12.6.2 Theodosius Dobzhansky: The Eclectic Evolutionist 12.6.3 Richard Goldschmidt, Dobzhansky´s Chromosomal Rearrangement, and the Narrowing of Evolutionary Possibility 12.6.4 A ``Modern Evolutionary Synthesis´´? 12.7 Discussion and Conclusion References Chapter 13: Natural Selection, Morphoprocess and a Logical Field of Evolutionary Concepts 13.1 Introduction 13.2 Natural Selection 13.2.1 Natural Selection: Tychogenesis Plus Selectogenesis 13.2.2 Potential Significance of Tychogenesis-Selectogenesis 13.3 The Search for an ``Evolving´´ System 13.3.1 Hierarchy of Living Systems and the Object of Evolution 13.3.2 Morphoprocess as a Dynamic Evolving System 13.4 A Logical Field of Evolutionary Concepts 13.4.1 Three Principal Logical Schemes of Transformation of the General Morphoprocess 13.4.2 Combinatory-Based Pathways of Transformism 13.5 Conclusion References Chapter 14: Natural Selection as Agent of Evolutionary Change: A View from Paleoanthropology 14.1 Introduction 14.2 Early Paleoanthropology 14.3 Paleoanthropology and the Synthesis 14.4 Recent Paleoanthropology 14.5 Natural Selection and Hominid Phylogeny 14.6 Conclusion References Chapter 15: Darwinism Without Selection? A Lesson from Cultural Evolutionary Theory 15.1 Introduction 15.2 What Is an Evolutionary Theory? 15.3 Dynamical Sufficiency in Cultural Evolution 15.3.1 The Replicator Interpretation 15.3.2 The Selectionist Interpretation 15.3.3 The Populational Interpretation 15.3.4 Provisional Remarks 15.4 Demographic Factors in Genetic and Cultural Evolution 15.4.1 Demographic Factors in Genetic Evolution 15.4.2 Demographic Factors in Cultural Evolution 15.5 Is this Darwinism? 15.6 Conclusion References Part VI: Teaching Evolution Chapter 16: Beyond Survival of the Fittest: A Look at Students´ Misconceptions About Natural Selection and Evolutionary Theory 16.1 Introduction 16.2 Misconceptions and Misunderstandings: Rejection Based on Historical, Cultural, and Societal Misunderstandings of Evolutio... 16.2.1 Historical Battle Between Religion and Science 16.2.2 Survival of the Fittest and Social Darwinism Misunderstanding Evolutionary Theory from an Educational Perspective Confusion Despite Apparent Simplicity Naïve Explanations (Shtulman) Mistaken Categorization (Ferrari and Chi) Hinderances and Obstacles in Science Education The Necessity of Conceptual Change Cognitive Obstacles to Accepting Evolution by Natural Selection Emotional Barriers to Conceptual Change Conclusion: New Educational Approaches References