Incommensurability of Epigenetics and NeoDarwinism

Incommensurability is a concept introduced by Thomas Kuhn in his 1962 book, The Structure of Scientific Revolutions. It refers to the idea that competing scientific paradigms are not simply different ways of explaining the same phenomena, but rather that they are so fundamentally different that they cannot be directly compared or contrasted.

Epigenetics is the study of heritable changes in gene expression that do not involve changes (mutations) in the DNA sequence itself. Neo-Darwinism is a theory of evolution that incorporates the ideas of natural selection, genetic inheritance, and genetic variation (mutations).


Here are 10 ways in which epigenetics is incommensurate with Neo-Darwinism:

  1. Epigenetic changes can be inherited. This means that they can be passed down from parents to offspring, even though they do not involve changes in the DNA sequence. This is in contrast to the traditional Neo-Darwinian view of evolution, which holds that inheritance is solely determined by DNA sequence change.

  2. Epigenetic changes can be caused by environmental factors. This means that the environment can influence gene expression and, therefore, evolution. This is in contrast to the traditional Neo-Darwinian view of evolution, which holds that evolution is driven solely by natural selection acting on genetic variation.

  3. Epigenetic changes can be reversible. This means that they can be switched on and off in response to environmental cues. This is in contrast to the traditional Neo-Darwinian view of evolution, which holds that evolution is a unidirectional process.

  4. Epigenetic changes can occur rapidly. Up to 100,000 times as fast as a mutation. They can occur within a single generation, or even within a single cell. This is in contrast to the traditional Neo-Darwinian view of evolution, which holds that evolution is a slow and gradual process.

  5. Epigenetic changes can play a role in the development of complex traits. These are traits that are influenced by many different genes at the same time. This is in contrast to the traditional Neo-Darwinian view of evolution, which holds that evolution is driven by the selection of one genes at a time.

  6. Epigenetic changes can be transmitted horizontally. This means that they can be passed from one individual to another without requiring sexual reproduction. This is in contrast to the traditional Neo-Darwinian view of evolution, which holds that inheritance is solely vertical, from parents to offspring.

  7. Epigenetic changes can be transgenerational. This means that they can be passed down from parents to offspring for multiple generations. This is in contrast to the traditional Neo-Darwinian view of evolution, which holds that evolution is driven by the selection of individual genes within a single generation.

  8. Epigenetic changes can play a role in the evolution of cancer. Cancer is a disease caused by genetic mutations. However, epigenetic changes can also play a role in the development and progression of cancer. This is in contrast to the traditional Neo-Darwinian view of cancer, which holds that cancer is caused solely by genetic mutations.

  9. Epigenetic changes can play a role in the evolution of human diseases. A variety of human diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and mental illness, are thought to have an epigenetic component. This is in contrast to the traditional Neo-Darwinian view of human disease, which holds that human diseases are caused solely by genetic mutations.

  10. Epigenetic changes can influence the evolution of human behavior. Epigenetic changes can affect gene expression in the brain, which can lead to changes in behavior. For example, one study found that epigenetic changes were associated with increased aggression in humans. This is in contrast to the traditional Neo-Darwinian view of human behavior, which holds that human behavior is determined solely by genes and environment.

It is important to note that epigenetics is a complex and rapidly developing field of research. It is likely that we will learn more about how epigenetics influences evolution in the years to come. There have been 138,000 articles on it in the last ten years.


It is also important to note that epigenetics provides a better understanding of how evolution works. 

However, the ways in which epigenetics is incommensurate with Neo-Darwinism listed above suggest that epigenetics may require a rethinking or replacement of Neo-Darwinism.

"The issue at stake,” says Arlin Stoltzfus, an evolutionary theorist at the IBBR research institute in Maryland, “is who is going to write the grand narrative of biology.”

And underneath all this lurks another, deeper question: whether the idea of a grand story of biology (NeoDarwinism) is a fairytale we need to finally give up?"

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