From: bivalve (bivalve@mail.davidson.alumlink.com)
Date: Thu Aug 14 2003 - 19:19:10 EDT
>Excluding catastrophic events, is natural selection responsible for all evolutionary outcomes? This is not a trivial question in that it is _the_ critical bone of contention with many Christians (who feel that this is too cruel to be the way that God would accomplish His goals). To me your answer seems to say yes and no at the same time. Can you do a "natural selection for dummies" that would directly address that specific question?<
No, the other factors mentioned play a large role in evolution, especially in determining what goes in to natural selection. However, natural selection has some influence on all of evolution, if only in a very weak sense in some cases (by providing some limits on otherwise free variation).
I don't think that physical constraints were mentioned. Obviously these play a big role in evolution-some structures or functions cannot be achieved, even though they might provide big advantages. The extent and nature of genetic constraints is less well known, but they probably also play a major role.
Another problem is the perception that natural selection is necessarily a cruel process and thus not a way God would do things. This has two problems. First, despite the popularity of big carnivores on TV nature programs, the outcome of natural selection has more to do with reproductive success than with nature red in tooth and claw. Secondly, there is at least as much violence in human history, yet those who object to evolution rarely question God's working through history. There are plenty of verses asserting God's involvement in and use of the cruel parts of history (see especially Habakkuk and the discussions of the bringing about of the crucifixion, e.g., Jesus' foretelling of His death or the early sermons in Acts).
>If the answer is that natural selection is indeed -NOT- the end all of all end alls in evolution, then why is presented as such to the non-specialist (like me)? Do any scientists ever dispute Dawkins on technical grounds?<
Natural selection is relatively simple. It is a very important component of evolution, and is one of the key parts of Darwin's formulation. Many of the other factors have received emphasis (if not discovery) only recently, e.g. the genetic factors and the role of catastrophes and other historical factors. Thus, the basic level textbook, which is neither up to date nor detailed, is unlikely to have a very thorough coverage. The relative roles of all these factors in evolution are highly debated.
Dr. David Campbell
Old Seashells
University of Alabama
Biodiversity & Systematics
Dept. Biological Sciences
Box 870345
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0345 USA
bivalve@mail.davidson.alumlink.com
That is Uncle Joe, taken in the masonic regalia of a Grand Exalted Periwinkle of the Mystic Order of Whelks-P.G. Wodehouse, Romance at Droitgate Spa
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