PZ Myers has started a thread on the definition of evolution [An exercise for the readers]. Here is PZ's choice ...
Evolution is a well-confirmed process of biological change that produces diversity and coherent functionality by a variety of natural mechanisms.And here's what I posted in the comments on his blog.
The minimal definition of evolution is ..This is always an interesting discussion and the comments on Pharyngula make some good points. What do Sandwalk readers think of my definition?Evolution is a process that results in heritable changes in a population spread over many generations. [What Is Evolution?]The truly shocking thing is how many believers in evolution get it wrong. Unfortunately, that includes you PZ. Two of the absolutely essential features of any definition of evolution are: (1) it requires permanent genetic changes and (2) it is populations, not individuals, that evolve. Both of these restrictions are missing from your definition.
What this means is that there are lots of things covered by your definition that do not fit into the scientific definition of evolution. I'll leave it to your readers to come up with a list of such changes.
No comments:
Post a Comment