Darwinian Dogma, the Selfish Gene, and thoughts on Post-Genetic Evolutionary Theory



Darwinian Dogma, the Selfish Gene, and thoughts on Post-Genetic Evolutionary Theory by J Silverstein

Introduction

In his 2021 article "Darwinian Dogma, the Selfish Gene, and thoughts on Post-Genetic Evolutionary Theory," J. Silverstein challenges the central tenets of modern evolutionary theory, arguing that they are no longer supported by the latest scientific evidence. He begins by reviewing the Darwinian dogma, which states that evolution is driven by natural selection acting on random variation. He then discusses the selfish gene theory, which posits that individual genes are the fundamental units of selection, and that organisms are simply vehicles for their genes.

Silverstein argues that both of these theories are flawed. He points to evidence that evolution is not always driven by natural selection, and that organisms can exhibit cooperative behaviors that cannot be explained by the selfish gene theory. He also argues that the Darwinian dogma has led to a narrow view of evolution, one that ignores the role of other factors such as epigenetics, symbiosis, and culture.

Silverstein then introduces the concept of post-genetic evolutionary theory, which is a new approach to understanding evolution that takes into account all of the latest scientific evidence. He argues that post-genetic evolutionary theory provides a more comprehensive and accurate account of how evolution works.

Darwinian Dogma

The Darwinian dogma is the central tenet of modern evolutionary theory. It states that evolution is driven by natural selection acting on random variation. Natural selection is the process by which individuals with traits that are better suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on those traits to their offspring. Over time, this process leads to the evolution of new species.

In recent years, there has been growing evidence that the Darwinian dogma is not accurate.

The Selfish Gene

The selfish gene theory is a more recent development in evolutionary theory. It was first proposed by Richard Dawkins in his 1976 book of the same name. Dawkins argued that individual genes are the fundamental units of selection, and that organisms are simply vehicles for their genes.

The selfish gene theory has been influential, but it has also been controversial. Some critics have argued that it is too reductionist, and that it ignores the important role that cooperation plays in evolution. Others have argued that it is simply wrong, and that genes are not the only units of selection.

Silverstein's Critique

Silverstein argues that both the Darwinian dogma and the selfish gene theory are flawed. He points to the following evidence:

  • Evolution is not always driven by natural selection. For example, evolution can also be driven by genetic drift, which is the random change in allele frequencies in a population. Genetic drift can be particularly important in small populations, where it can lead to the rapid evolution of new species.

  • Organisms can exhibit cooperative behaviors that cannot be explained by the selfish gene theory. For example, some animals, such as ants and bees, form colonies in which they cooperate to raise their young and gather food. It is difficult to see how these cooperative behaviors could have evolved if genes were truly selfish.

  • The Darwinian dogma has led to a narrow view of evolution. It has focused on the role of natural selection in driving the evolution of new species, and it has ignored other important factors such as epigenetics, symbiosis, and culture.

Post-Genetic Evolutionary Theory

Silverstein introduces the concept of post-genetic evolutionary theory, which is a new approach to understanding evolution that takes into account all of the latest scientific evidence. Post-genetic evolutionary theory recognizes that evolution is driven by a complex interplay of factors, including natural selection, genetic drift, epigenetics, symbiosis, and culture.

Silverstein argues that post-genetic evolutionary theory provides a more comprehensive and accurate account of how evolution works. It recognizes that evolution is not a linear process, and that it can be driven by a variety of factors. It also recognizes that organisms are complex systems, and that their behavior cannot be explained by simply looking at the genes they carry.

Conclusion

Silverstein's article is a valuable contribution to the ongoing debate about the nature of evolution. He challenges the central tenets of modern evolutionary theory, and he proposes a new approach to understanding evolution that is more comprehensive and accurate. Silverstein's work is likely to generate much discussion and debate, and it could lead to a major shift in the way we think about evolution.

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