Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Lateralus · 05-01-2003, 01:37 PM

Some one was recently telling me how most scientists no longer believe in Darwinian evolution. What other type of evolution is there? I'm confused, please help.

Mageth · 05-01-2003, 02:21 PM

Someone was misinformed.

Wounded King · 05-01-2003, 02:22 PM

This depends very much on what was meant. There is Lamarckian evolution, which preceded Darwin and is generally disregarded. There is neo-darwinism, what is sometimes called the modern synthesis, which explains evolutionary theory in conjuction with molecular genetics. There is punctuated equilibrium which is sometimes seen as a departure from the archetypal darwinian gradualism.

If by darwinian evolution he meant evolution by natural selection then I very much doubt that most scientists don't believe in it.

Was the person who told you this some sort of scientist themselves or were they reporting somethig they had just heard?

I haven't covered creationist theories as they are not evolutionary, well maybe ID is kind of but I don't like it anyway.

johngalt · 05-01-2003, 02:36 PM

well, someone didn't get the story right!

Doubting Didymus · 05-01-2003, 03:35 PM

They'll be talking about the 'ultradarwinists' and their detractors.

I wouldn't worry too much about that unless you take a personal interest in exploring evolutionary biology, as its a very internal debate with not much of an impact on the external public understanding of evolution. All the basic facts of evolution remain more or less intact, no matter who is right in that (overrated) scrap.

Non-praying Mantis · 05-01-2003, 08:33 PM

Or perhaps they were talking about evolution occuring without natural selection. It does happen:

Evolution, or changes in a gene pool of a population of organisms can occur in several ways: genetic drift, sexual selection, mutation, and natural selection.

However, natural selection is the only one that will allow for so-called "macroevolution," because only natural selection "weeds out" those that fail to produce fertile offspring, and has that cumulative effect that occurs over a long period of time.

NPM

Doubting Didymus · 05-01-2003, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Non-praying Mantis
However, natural selection is the only one that will allow for so-called "macroevolution,"

Meatros · 05-02-2003, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Lateralus
Some one was recently telling me how most scientists no longer believe in Darwinian evolution. What other type of evolution is there? I'm confused, please help.

The person was probably referring to the fact that evolution has gone through some changes since Darwin's day.

05-01-2003, 01:37 PM	#1
Lateralus Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: CA Posts: 17	Darwinian Evolution vs. other evolution(?) Some one was recently telling me how most scientists no longer believe in Darwinian evolution. What other type of evolution is there? I'm confused, please help.

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05-01-2003, 02:21 PM	#2
Mageth Contributor Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Deep in the heart of mother-lovin' Texas Posts: 29,689	Someone was misinformed.

05-01-2003, 02:22 PM	#3
Wounded King Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 1,211	This depends very much on what was meant. There is Lamarckian evolution, which preceded Darwin and is generally disregarded. There is neo-darwinism, what is sometimes called the modern synthesis, which explains evolutionary theory in conjuction with molecular genetics. There is punctuated equilibrium which is sometimes seen as a departure from the archetypal darwinian gradualism. If by darwinian evolution he meant evolution by natural selection then I very much doubt that most scientists don't believe in it. Was the person who told you this some sort of scientist themselves or were they reporting somethig they had just heard? I haven't covered creationist theories as they are not evolutionary, well maybe ID is kind of but I don't like it anyway.

05-01-2003, 02:36 PM	#4
johngalt Regular Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 204	well, someone didn't get the story right!

05-01-2003, 03:35 PM	#5
Doubting Didymus Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: East Coast. Australia. Posts: 5,455	They'll be talking about the 'ultradarwinists' and their detractors. I wouldn't worry too much about that unless you take a personal interest in exploring evolutionary biology, as its a very internal debate with not much of an impact on the external public understanding of evolution. All the basic facts of evolution remain more or less intact, no matter who is right in that (overrated) scrap.

05-01-2003, 08:33 PM	#6
Non-praying Mantis Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Roanoke, VA, USA Posts: 2,646	Or perhaps they were talking about evolution occuring without natural selection. It does happen: Evolution, or changes in a gene pool of a population of organisms can occur in several ways: genetic drift, sexual selection, mutation, and natural selection. However, natural selection is the only one that will allow for so-called "macroevolution," because only natural selection "weeds out" those that fail to produce fertile offspring, and has that cumulative effect that occurs over a long period of time. NPM

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