Without Miracles Universal Selection Theory and the Second Darwinian Revolution

About this book

An account of the emergence of fit which suggests that all novel forms of adapted complexity proceed from an evolutionary process involving cumulative blind variation and selection. Cziko applies this provocative selectionist theory to a wide range of subjects including biology, immunology, neuroscience, psychology, anthropology, education, linguistics and computer science.

Contents

Part 1 The need for selection: puzzles of fit. Part 2 The achievements of selection: the fit of biological structures; the emergence of instinct; the immune system - selection by the enemy; brain evolution and development - the selection of neurons and synapses. Part 3 The promise of selection: the origin and growth of human knowledge; the adaptive modification of behaviour; adapted behaviour as the control of perception; the development and functioning of thought; cultural knowledge as the evolution of tradition, technology and science; the evolution, acquisition and use of language; education - the provision and transmission of truth, or the selectionist growth of fallible knowledge?. Part 4 The use of selection: evolutionary computing - selection within silicon; the artificial selection of organisms and molecules. Part 5 The universality of selection: from providence through instruction to selection - a well-travelled road; universal selection theory - the second Darwinian revolution; appendix - the trouble with miracles.

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