WE>The first paragraph of Origin of Species indicates that the
>reporter, at least, needs a refresher course. Note the word used
>there: "coadaptation". Not "adaptation". Claiming that a raw,
>spite-only competition represents the whole of Darwin's argument
>for natural selection is a *gross* misrepresentation.
SJ>It might not be "the whole of Darwin's argument for natural
SJ>selection" but neither is it "a *gross* misrepresentation" to
SJ>claim that "a raw, spite-only competition" was central to
SJ>Darwin's argument. After all, he summed up his theory on the
SJ>last paragraph of the "Origin of Species" by describing, nature
SJ>as a "war":
SJ>"Thus, from the war of nature, from famine and death, the most
SJ>exalted object which we are capable of conceiving, namely, the
SJ>production of the higher animals, directly follows." (Darwin
SJ>C., "The Origin of Species", 6th edition, 1872, Everyman's
SJ>Library, 1967, pp462-463)
Well, I certainly wouldn't myself go so far as to say that raw,
spite-only competition was not *included* in Darwin's
theoretical framework. However, the person I was responding to
had quoted an argument whose premise was that it was the *only*
content of Darwin's work. That *is* a gross misrepresentation
by any standard you care to examine.
Now, you might want to re-read your quote, since it says
*nothing* about competition.
>On Tue, 10 Jun 97 20:03:49 CDT, Wesley R. Elsberry wrote:
WE>...Darwin stated that natural selection would only operate
>intermittently, at long intervals.
SJ>That would be true if a "Iong interval" was a *day* or an
SJ>*hour*, because Darwin stated quite clearly that natural
SJ>selection operated "daily and hourly":
SJ>"It may metaphorically be said that natural selection is daily
SJ>and hourly scrutinising, throughout the world, the slightest
SJ>variations; rejecting those that are bad, preserving and adding
SJ>up all that are good; silently and insensibly working, whenever
SJ>and wherever opportunity offers, at the improvement of each
SJ>organic being in relation to its organic and inorganic
SJ>conditions of life." (Darwin, 1872, p83)
It is true regardless of this nugget, Steve, and no, the periods
are not days or hours. First, this quote says up front
"metaphorically". Consult your dictionary. Second, it also
says, "whenever and wherever opportunity offers", which is also
consistent with intermittent operation. Remember that events
happen in parallel.
There seems to be a pattern emerging that your quotes don't
actually say what you think that they say.
Wesley