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                                  Evolutionary Theory

   We see evolution as based on the [2]trial-and-error process of variation and
   natural [3]selection of systems at all levels of [4]complexity. The name of
   'natural selection' comes from the Darwinian theory of biological evolution,
   which distinguishes "natural" selection from "artificial" selection, where
   specific features are retained or eliminated depending on a goal or intention
   (e.g. the objective of a cattle breeder who would like to have cows that produce
   more milk). The "implicit goal" of natural selection is maintenance or
   reproduction of a configuration at some level of abstraction. The selection is
   natural in the sense that there is no actor or purposive system making the
   selection. The selection we are discussing is purely automatic or spontaneous,
   without plan or design involved.

   Evolution typically leads to[5] greater complexity, although one must be careful
   how one defines [6]complexity.

Selection or self-organization?

   Many criticisms have been and are being raised against the Darwinian view of
   evolution. We will here not discuss the criticisms stating that there are designs
   or plans guiding evolution, but focus on a more recent upsurge of people, many of
   whom are associated with the systems movement, who state that natural selection
   must be complemented by self-organization in order to explain evolution. (see
   e.g. [7]Jantsch, 1979; [8]Kauffman, 1993; Swenson, 19). However, we must not
   confuse the specific theory of Darwinian evolution with the general principle of
   natural selection.

   The narrow or specific interpretation of Darwinism sees evolution as the result
   of selection by the environment acting on a population of organisms competing for
   resources. The winners of the competition, those who are most [9]fit to gain the
   resources necessary for survival and reproduction, will be selected, the others
   are eliminated. Even when abstracting from the fact that we are speaking about
   "organisms", this view of evolution entails two strong restriction:
    1. it assumes that there is a multitude ("population") of configurations
       undergoing selection;
    2. it assumes that selection is carried out by their common environment.

   Like Swenson (19) notes, it cannot explain the evolution of a "population of
   one". In our present, more general interpretation, there is no need for
   competition between simultaneously present configurations. A configuration can be
   selected or eliminated independently of the presence of other configurations: a
   single system can pass through a sequence of configurations, some of which are
   retained while others are eliminated (see the [10]Principle of Selective
   Retention). The only "competition" involved is one between subsequent states of
   the same system. Such selection can still be "natural".

   More importantly this selection does not in any way presuppose the existence of
   an environment external to the configuration undergoing selection. It is easy
   enough to imagine configurations that are intrinsically stable or unstable. A
   cloud of gas molecules in a vacuum (i.e. an "empty" environment) will diffuse,
   independently of any outside forces. A crystal in the same vacuum will retain its
   rigid crystalline structure. The first configuration (the cloud) is eliminated,
   the second one maintains. The stability of the structure, functioning as a
   selection criterion, is purely internal to the configuration: no outsides forces
   or pressures are necessary to explain them.

   In cases like these, the selection is inherent in the configuration itself, and
   an [11]asymmetric transition from varying to stable may be called
   "self-organization". In the present view, "natural selection" encompasses both
   external, Darwinian selection, and internal, "[12]self-organizing" selection.

   See also: [13]Servers on Evolutionary Theory
     ____________________________________________________________________________

   [14]Copyright© 1997 Principia Cybernetica - [15]Referencing this page

   Author
   F. [16]Heylighen,

   Date
   Jan 27, 1997 (modified)
   Aug 1993 (created)

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                           [18]Metasystem Transition Theory

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     ____________________________________________________________________________

   [21]The Physics of Evolution

   [22]The trial-and-error method

   [23]Replication

   [24]Self-organization

   [25]Direction and Speed of Evolution

   [26]Mathematical Modeling of Evolution

   [27]Evolutionary Systems
   ____________________________________________________________________________

                                    [28]Discussion
     ____________________________________________________________________________

     * [29]Annotation, Comment by Nakamura, David
     * [30]Is "Internal selection" relevant?, Correction by John Kineman
     * [31]Only dynamic systems can evolve, Comment by Josip Pajk
     * [32]Evolution theory visualized, Illustration by David Zelenka
     * [33]Might is Right?, Comment by Jeremy Bradley
     * [34]darwinism?, Comment by paul jr. wolff
     * [35]Autopoiesis, and human-machine intelligence: a comparative book review.,
       Comment by Ashley Holmes
     * [36]Denounce Charles Darwin, Refutation by Muhammad Mukhtar Alam
     * [37]Entropy and God, Comment by John Salvis
     * [38]Self-knowledge, God and the creation of the universe, Comment by Laurence
       Fowler

                                  [39]Add comment...

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References

   1. LYNXIMGMAP:http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/EVOLUT.html#PCP-header
   2. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/TRIALERR.html
   3. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/SELECT.html
   4. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/COMPLEXI.html
   5. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/COMPGROW.html
   6. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/COMPLEXI.html
   7. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/EVOCOPUB.html#Jantsch1979
   8. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/EVOCOPUB.html#Kauffman1993
   9. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/FITNESS.html
  10. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/SELRET.html
  11. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/ASYMTRANS.html
  12. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/SELFORG.html
  13. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/EVOMEMLI.html
  14. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/COPYR.html
  15. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/REFERPCP.html
  16. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/HEYL.html
  17. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/DEFAULT.html
  18. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/MSTT.html
  19. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/COMPLEXI.html
  20. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/TRIALERR.html
  21. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/PHYSEVOL.html
  22. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/TRIALERR.html
  23. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/REPLICAT.html
  24. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/SELFORG.html
  25. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/DIRSPEVO.html
  26. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/MATHME.html
  27. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/EVOLSYS.html
  28. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/MAKANNOT.html
  29. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/Annotations/EVOLUT.0.html
  30. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/Annotations/EVOLUT.1.html
  31. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/Annotations/EVOLUT.2.html
  32. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/Annotations/EVOLUT.3.html
  33. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/Annotations/EVOLUT.4.html
  34. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/Annotations/EVOLUT.5.html
  35. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/Annotations/EVOLUT.6.html
  36. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/Annotations/EVOLUT.7.html
  37. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/Annotations/EVOLUT.8.html
  38. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/Annotations/EVOLUT.9.html
  39. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/hypercard.acgi$annotform?

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