Recent Changes for "The evolution of evolution theory" - Philosophical Investigations

The evolution of evolution theory

2010-07-27 15:27:43

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- ''How has Darwin's theory changed since its first inception?''	+ ''How has Darwin's theory changed since its first inception?'

The evolution of evolution theory

NormanNitram — 2010-02-01 20:11:24

Revert to version 12 (looks like a mistake?).

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- LOOOOKKKK !!! - This source can be edited so not good for referencing :) look i wrote on it !!!!!!!!!! -	+ On Earth, life began in the seas. Anaximander considered life, in the form of fish, to have spontaneously arisen in the moisture that originally covered the whole of Earth. Man himself came into being only after a series of transmutations as other kinds of animals. After all, he rightly notes, man with his extended infancy could scarcely have survived. For this, even though Anaximander offers nothing approaching a theory of natural selection, some people consider him to be evolutionary theory's most ancient proponent. Indeed, the theory of an aquatic descent of man was re-conceived centuries later and graced with the name ‘the aquatic ape hypothesis’.

The evolution of evolution theory

2010-02-01 12:43:57

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- This source can be edited so not good for referencing :) look i wrote on it	+ LOOOOKKKK !!! + This source can be edited so not good for referencing :) look i wrote on it !!!!!!!!!!

The evolution of evolution theory

2010-02-01 12:42:39

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- On Earth, life began in the seas. Anaximander considered life, in the form of fish, to have spontaneously arisen in the moisture that originally covered the whole of Earth. Man himself came into being only after a series of transmutations as other kinds of animals. After all, he rightly notes, man with his extended infancy could scarcely have survived. For this, even though Anaximander offers nothing approaching aselection, some people consider him to be evolutionary theory's most anciheory of	+ This source can be edited so not good for referencing :) look i wrote on it +

The evolution of evolution theory

2010-02-01 12:41:28

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2010-02-01 12:41:25

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2010-02-01 12:41:02

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- On Earth, life began in the seas. Anaximander considered life, in the form of fish, to have spontaneously arisen in the moisture that originally covered the whole of Earth. Man himself came into being only after a series of transmutations as other kinds of animals. After all, he rightly notes, man with his extended infancy could scarcely have survived. For this, even though Anaximander offers nothing approaching a theory of natural selection, some people consider him to be evolutionary theory's most ancient proponent. Indeed, the theory of an aquatic descent of man was re-conceived centuries later and graced with the name ‘the aquatic ape hypothesis’.	+ On Earth, life began in the seas. Anaximander considered life, in the form of fish, to have spontaneously arisen in the moisture that originally covered the whole of Earth. Man himself came into being only after a series of transmutations as other kinds of animals. After all, he rightly notes, man with his extended infancy could scarcely have survived. For this, even though Anaximander offers nothing approaching aselection, some people consider him to be evolutionary theory's most anciheory of

The evolution of evolution theory

Picasso — 2009-09-12 10:56:07

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The evolution of evolution theory

Picasso — 2009-09-12 10:55:06

Adding colour

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	+ '''''This is a page about''''' + + \|\|<tableclass="largeredquote" tablewidth="60%">The evolution of evolution theory\|\| +

The evolution of evolution theory

Picasso — 2009-09-12 10:49:15

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- -->'' - ''This page is a stub. You can help expand it. Guests please do so primarily by '''adding sections''', not by editing the existing ones. More ideas, and some possible material, for the page - are on the related discussion page.'' - ''<--	+ [[include(Templates/Stub)]]

The evolution of evolution theory

docmartin — 2009-09-01 13:32:14

Another great page - just drawing a line under it

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The evolution of evolution theory

PerigGouanvic — 2009-08-30 07:37:43

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- Only fragments [[footnote(* Fragments include:[[br]]Reference in Simplicius in ''Physics.'', p. 24, 13.[[br]]Reference in Agathemerus, ''Geographie informatio''[[br]]Some of Anaximander's ideas were also preserved in Theophrastus's (lost) history of philosophy, and re-quoted by later authors.)]] of Anaximander’s thoughts remain, but they indicate that he started with an unlimited primordial mass (that he called apeiron, a term which means not only infinite but also 'that which is not experienced'), which itself was unchanging, subject to neither old age nor decay, but which perpetually yielded fresh materials from which everything we can perceive is derived.	+ Only fragments [[footnote(* Fragments include: Reference in Simplicius in ''Physics.'', p. 24, 13.; Reference in Agathemerus, ''Geographie informatio''; Some of Anaximander's ideas were also preserved in Theophrastus's (lost) history of philosophy, and re-quoted by later authors.)]] of Anaximander’s thoughts remain, but they indicate that he started with an unlimited primordial mass (that he called apeiron, a term which means not only infinite but also 'that which is not experienced'), which itself was unchanging, subject to neither old age nor decay, but which perpetually yielded fresh materials from which everything we can perceive is derived.

The evolution of evolution theory

PerigGouanvic — 2009-08-30 07:36:52

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- === Evolutionary Theory, Racism and Social Darwinism	+ === Evolutionary Theory, Racism and Social Darwinism===

The evolution of evolution theory

PerigGouanvic — 2009-08-30 07:36:45

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- == Issues	+ == Issues==

The evolution of evolution theory

PerigGouanvic — 2009-08-30 07:36:36

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PerigGouanvic — 2009-08-30 07:36:21

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- [[toc]]	+ [[tableofcontents]]

The evolution of evolution theory

PerigGouanvic — 2009-08-30 07:36:07

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- >... under certain circumstances individual differences in the curvature or length of the proboscis etc, too slight to be appreciated by us might benefit a bee or other insect, so that certain individuals would be able to obtain their food more quickly than others, and the communities in which they belonged would flourish and throw off many swarms inheriting the same peculiarities.	+ ''... under certain circumstances individual differences in the curvature or length of the proboscis etc, too slight to be appreciated by us might benefit a bee or other insect, so that certain individuals would be able to obtain their food more quickly than others, and the communities in which they belonged would flourish and throw off many swarms inheriting the same peculiarities.''

The evolution of evolution theory

PerigGouanvic — 2009-08-30 07:35:46

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- == ''Key Questions''	+ == ''Key Questions''==
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- Only fragments [[footnote( - * Fragments include: - - Reference in Simplicius in ''Physics.'', p. 24, 13. - - Reference in Agathemerus, ''Geographie informatio'' - - Some of Anaximander's ideas were also preserved in Theophrastus's (lost) history of philosophy, and re-quoted by later authors.)]] of Anaximander’s thoughts remain, but they indicate that he started with an unlimited primordial mass (that he called apeiron, a term which means not only infinite but also 'that which is not experienced'), which itself was unchanging, subject to neither old age nor decay, but which perpetually yielded fresh materials from which everything we can perceive is derived.	+ Only fragments [[footnote(* Fragments include:[[br]]Reference in Simplicius in ''Physics.'', p. 24, 13.[[br]]Reference in Agathemerus, ''Geographie informatio''[[br]]Some of Anaximander's ideas were also preserved in Theophrastus's (lost) history of philosophy, and re-quoted by later authors.)]] of Anaximander’s thoughts remain, but they indicate that he started with an unlimited primordial mass (that he called apeiron, a term which means not only infinite but also 'that which is not experienced'), which itself was unchanging, subject to neither old age nor decay, but which perpetually yielded fresh materials from which everything we can perceive is derived.
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- Whence things have their origin,	+ '' Whence things have their origin,
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- In conformity with the ordinance of Time	+ In conformity with the ordinance of Time''
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- At some future period, not very distant as measured by centuries, the civilized races of man will almost certainly exterminate and replace throughout the world the savage races. At the same time the anthropomorphous apes, as Professor Schaaffhausen has remarked, will no doubt be exterminated. The break will then be rendered wider, for it will intervene between man in a more civilized state, as we may hope, than the Caucasian, and some ape as low as a baboon, instead of as at present between the negro or Australian and the gorilla.[[footnote(Darwin, C. R. 1871. ''The descent of man, and selection in relation to sex'' London: John Murray. Volume 1. 1st edition.)]]	+ ''At some future period, not very distant as measured by centuries, the civilized races of man will almost certainly exterminate and replace throughout the world the savage races. At the same time the anthropomorphous apes, as Professor Schaaffhausen has remarked, will no doubt be exterminated. The break will then be rendered wider, for it will intervene between man in a more civilized state, as we may hope, than the Caucasian, and some ape as low as a baboon, instead of as at present between the negro or Australian and the gorilla.[[footnote(Darwin, C. R. 1871. ''The descent of man, and selection in relation to sex'' London: John Murray. Volume 1. 1st edition.)]]''
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- Lastly, more than one writer has asked, why have some animals had their mental powers more highly developed than others, as such development would be advantageous to all? Why have not apes acquired the intellectual powers of man? Various causes could be assigned; but as they are conjectural, and their relative probability cannot be weighed, it would be useless to give them. A definite answer to the latter question ought not to be expected, seeing that no one can solve the simpler problem why, of two races of savages, one has risen higher in the scale of civilization than the other; and this apparently implies increased brain-power.[[footnote(''Origin of Species'', Charles Darwin, page 181)]]	+ ''Lastly, more than one writer has asked, why have some animals had their mental powers more highly developed than others, as such development would be advantageous to all? Why have not apes acquired the intellectual powers of man? Various causes could be assigned; but as they are conjectural, and their relative probability cannot be weighed, it would be useless to give them. A definite answer to the latter question ought not to be expected, seeing that no one can solve the simpler problem why, of two races of savages, one has risen higher in the scale of civilization than the other; and this apparently implies increased brain-power.[[footnote(''Origin of Species'', Charles Darwin, page 181)]]''
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- Any crossing of two beings not at exactly the same level produces a medium between the level of the two parents. This means: the offspring will probably stand higher than the racially lower parent, but not as high as the higher one. Consequently, it will later succumb in the struggle against the higher level. Such mating is contrary to the will of Nature for a higher breeding of all life. The precondition for this does not lie in associating superior and inferior, but in the total victory of the former. The stronger must dominate and not blend with the weaker, thus sacrificing his own greatness. [[footnote(Quoted from MK in ''Political Philosophy'', second edition, by Martin Cohen Pluto, 2008))]]	+ ''Any crossing of two beings not at exactly the same level produces a medium between the level of the two parents. This means: the offspring will probably stand higher than the racially lower parent, but not as high as the higher one. Consequently, it will later succumb in the struggle against the higher level. Such mating is contrary to the will of Nature for a higher breeding of all life. The precondition for this does not lie in associating superior and inferior, but in the total victory of the former. The stronger must dominate and not blend with the weaker, thus sacrificing his own greatness. [[footnote(Quoted from MK in ''Political Philosophy'', second edition, by Martin Cohen Pluto, 2008))]]''
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- A stronger race will drive out the weak, for the vital urge in its ultimate form will, time and again, burst all the absurd fetters of the so-called humanity of individuals, in order to replace it by the humanity of Nature which destroys the weak to give his place to the strong. [[footnote(Quoted from MK in ''Political Philosophy'', second edition, by Martin Cohen Pluto, 2008))]]	+ ''A stronger race will drive out the weak, for the vital urge in its ultimate form will, time and again, burst all the absurd fetters of the so-called humanity of individuals, in order to replace it by the humanity of Nature which destroys the weak to give his place to the strong. [[footnote(Quoted from MK in ''Political Philosophy'', second edition, by Martin Cohen Pluto, 2008))]]''

The evolution of evolution theory

PerigGouanvic — 2009-08-30 07:34:07

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	+ + -->'' + ''This page is a stub. You can help expand it. Guests please do so primarily by '''adding sections''', not by editing the existing ones. More ideas, and some possible material, for the page + are on the related discussion page.'' + ''<-- + + ''Draft structure'' + + == ''Key Questions'' + + ''How has Darwin's theory evolved?'' + + == ''Overview'' + + + In ''Origin of Species,'' (1859) Darwin asks "Can the principle of selection, which we have seen is so potent in the hands of man, apply in nature?" Well, after some learned discussion of slim wolves and giraffes with long necks and so on, he concludes that : + + >... under certain circumstances individual differences in the curvature or length of the proboscis etc, too slight to be appreciated by us might benefit a bee or other insect, so that certain individuals would be able to obtain their food more quickly than others, and the communities in which they belonged would flourish and throw off many swarms inheriting the same peculiarities. + + The theory was by no means new when Darwin said it, but ''Origin of Species'' has nonetheless had a profound effect not merely on understandings of biology and nature, but on views of human societies and morality. In Europe, the theory collapsed the pretensions of the Church to have the only explanation for how the world came to be the way it is, and even seemed to promise a similarly progressive trend to political systems, manifested through the destructive power of revolution. + + Nonetheless, doubts have always challenged the theory's authority itself, questions about gaps in the so-called fossil record, about how the supposedly 'useful' traits spread from individuals across whole species, and so on, but the significant shift whatever the eventual status of Darwin's 'theory' is that this sort of debate is, like the theory itself, is now firmly about 'rational' ideas rather than the revealed knowledge. + + ''Here we examine the philosophical implications and the many issues raised by Darwin's theory, 150 years on.'' + + [[toc]] + + === ''The Origins'' + + + === Anaximander on Evolution + + Anaximander (c.610 BCE - 546 BCE) is often said to have created the first map of the world, but is also credited sometimes with being the first person to explain the development of life on Earth as a kind of evolutionary process. Anaximander was a follower of Thales, who held that everything was ultimately made out of water, and his map reflects this, being circular in form with the Aegean Sea in pride of place at the centre 'doughnutted' by all the known lands of the world and the whole set in endless ocean, but unlike his teacher, Anaximander thought that one substance alone could not explain all the variety found in nature — for example, water can only be wet, never dry — and therefore, there had to be more than the one primary substance. + + Only fragments [[footnote( + * Fragments include: + + Reference in Simplicius in ''Physics.'', p. 24, 13. + + Reference in Agathemerus, ''Geographie informatio'' + + Some of Anaximander's ideas were also preserved in Theophrastus's (lost) history of philosophy, and re-quoted by later authors.)]] of Anaximander’s thoughts remain, but they indicate that he started with an unlimited primordial mass (that he called apeiron, a term which means not only infinite but also 'that which is not experienced'), which itself was unchanging, subject to neither old age nor decay, but which perpetually yielded fresh materials from which everything we can perceive is derived. + + If he ever defined this principle precisely, the detail has been long lost, and it has been generally taken that this primeval state (for example, by Aristotle and Augustine) taken to have been been understood as a time of chaos. It embraced the opposites of hot and cold, wet and dry, and directed the movement of things, by which there grew up all of the host of shapes and differences which are found in "all the worlds" - of which he believed there were many. + + Out of this original flux there sprang a central mass - cylindrical in shape, poised equidistant from surrounding orbs of fire, which had originally clung to it like the bark round a tree, until their continuity was severed, and they parted into several wheel-shaped and fire-filled bubbles of air. This cylindrical mass,was the Earth. + + On Earth, life began in the seas. Anaximander considered life, in the form of fish, to have spontaneously arisen in the moisture that originally covered the whole of Earth. Man himself came into being only after a series of transmutations as other kinds of animals. After all, he rightly notes, man with his extended infancy could scarcely have survived. For this, even though Anaximander offers nothing approaching a theory of natural selection, some people consider him to be evolutionary theory's most ancient proponent. Indeed, the theory of an aquatic descent of man was re-conceived centuries later and graced with the name ‘the aquatic ape hypothesis’. + + The one surviving fragment of Anaximander was transmitted as a quote by Simplicius and could be translated as: + + Whence things have their origin, + Thence also their destruction happens, + According to necessity; + For they give to each other justice and recompense + For their injustice + In conformity with the ordinance of Time + + + In saying this, Anaximander seems to express the belief that there is an overarching natural order to the world that ensures balance not only between the four elements of Ancient Greek philosophy, (Fire, Earth (or more precisely ‘Ashes’), Air and, of course, Water) - but much more than that, as Anaximander's Greek peers echoed, there is a ‘paradigm changing’ sentiment here that there may be natural boundaries that not even the Gods can operate beyond. + + == Issues + + === Evolutionary Theory, Racism and Social Darwinism + + Was Darwin a 'racist'? Certainly, many racists and not a few genocidal state theorists have found much to support their prejudices in Darwin's work. But here are two quotations [[footnote(identifed and selected from the full text by Ray Comfort, a contemporary author and a Christian 'sceptic' of evolutionary theory)]]. + + At some future period, not very distant as measured by centuries, the civilized races of man will almost certainly exterminate and replace throughout the world the savage races. At the same time the anthropomorphous apes, as Professor Schaaffhausen has remarked, will no doubt be exterminated. The break will then be rendered wider, for it will intervene between man in a more civilized state, as we may hope, than the Caucasian, and some ape as low as a baboon, instead of as at present between the negro or Australian and the gorilla.[[footnote(Darwin, C. R. 1871. ''The descent of man, and selection in relation to sex'' London: John Murray. Volume 1. 1st edition.)]] + + Darwin also said: + + Lastly, more than one writer has asked, why have some animals had their mental powers more highly developed than others, as such development would be advantageous to all? Why have not apes acquired the intellectual powers of man? Various causes could be assigned; but as they are conjectural, and their relative probability cannot be weighed, it would be useless to give them. A definite answer to the latter question ought not to be expected, seeing that no one can solve the simpler problem why, of two races of savages, one has risen higher in the scale of civilization than the other; and this apparently implies increased brain-power.[[footnote(''Origin of Species'', Charles Darwin, page 181)]] + + Here is Hitler too, in ''Mein Kampf''. Hitler explains the 'Jewish problem' to the German public in Darwinian terms: + + Any crossing of two beings not at exactly the same level produces a medium between the level of the two parents. This means: the offspring will probably stand higher than the racially lower parent, but not as high as the higher one. Consequently, it will later succumb in the struggle against the higher level. Such mating is contrary to the will of Nature for a higher breeding of all life. The precondition for this does not lie in associating superior and inferior, but in the total victory of the former. The stronger must dominate and not blend with the weaker, thus sacrificing his own greatness. [[footnote(Quoted from MK in ''Political Philosophy'', second edition, by Martin Cohen Pluto, 2008))]] + + And he goes on: + + A stronger race will drive out the weak, for the vital urge in its ultimate form will, time and again, burst all the absurd fetters of the so-called humanity of individuals, in order to replace it by the humanity of Nature which destroys the weak to give his place to the strong. [[footnote(Quoted from MK in ''Political Philosophy'', second edition, by Martin Cohen Pluto, 2008))]] + + Hitler's political philosophy revolves around this unhappy caricature of Darwinism. From such props, he imagines an ideal people, the 'Aryan race' and credits them with an historical mission - to crush and eliminate the inferior races. This in Nazism, but not (as often erroneously stated) Fascism. (Fascism explicitly attempts to weld different races together to form a modern state.) But the question remains, is this objectionable theory also, really, 'Darwinism'?