Redefining evolution: life beyond the limits of neo-Darwinian theory

Silverstein, J.E. ORCID: 0000-0002-8213-0321, 2021. Redefining evolution: life beyond the limits of neo-Darwinian theory. Social Evolution and History, 20 (2), pp. 3-26. ISSN 1681-4363

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Abstract

Neo-Darwinian evolutionary theory is fixed in scientific thought as a dogma despite the lack of congruence with some observable and theoretical phenomena related to culture, epigenetics, abiogenesis, and agenetic life. Even the most current versions of evolutionary theory fall short in explaining a range of scenarios that lay outside Neo-Darwinian principles. Proposed here is a recontextualization of Darwinian theory within a new paradigm that focuses not on the biomechanics of evolution but on the existence of various mediums for transmitting Coded Information Networks through time and space. Following this revised perspective, evolution is not a uniform process but rather one defined by a series of overlapping stacked systems for carrying information organized with stepwise increased complexity and corresponding increased potential for manipulating and moulding matter into more complex forms. Panevolutionary Theory identifies three different types of evolution that, while containing different modes of operation, describe the processes used for creating and maintaining life in all its various forms. Phusitic Evolution describes the emergence of life through the dynamics of inorganic compounds, Zoetic Evolution models the propagation of life through molecular biological processes, and Noetic Evolution explains organisms and designed intelligent systems in which the knowledge itself directs the processes required for existence. This Panevolutionary perspective allows observable and theoretical phenomena related to 'Big History' and the complexity of life, including human behaviour, to be explained under unifying principles while resolving paradoxes and inconsistencies in the current attempts to apply the Neo-Darwinian paradigm as universal law.

Item Type: Journal article
Publication Title: Social Evolution and History
Creators: Silverstein, J.E.
Publisher: Uchitel Publishing House
Date: 2021
Volume: 20
Number: 2
ISSN: 1681-4363
Identifiers:
NumberType
10.30884/seh/2021.02.01DOI
1760440Other
Rights: The Journal is an open access journal. All articles are made freely available to readers. Our open access policy is in in accordance with the Budapest Open Access Initiative (BOAI) definition - it means that articles have free availability on the public internet, permitting any users to read, download, copy, distribute, print, search, or link to the full texts of these articles, pass them as data to software, or use them for any other lawful purpose, without financial, legal, or technical barriers other than those inseparable from gaining access to the internet itself.
Divisions: Schools > School of Science and Technology
Record created by: Jonathan Gallacher
Date Added: 18 May 2023 08:13
Last Modified: 18 May 2023 08:13
URI: https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/49005

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