The word "evolution" has too many meanings. Any gradual change can
be called evolution (e.g., Kauffman's boolean networks). Natural
selection is only one among many alternative metaphors associated
with evolution. Many people (including me) think that Lamarkean
metaphor of a goal-derected evolution also make sense. We need to
distinguish between models of evolution (e.g., Fisher's model of
the change in gene frequency) and interpretations of these models.
It is easier to reach an agreement on models than on interpretations
because interpretations always include emotions, analogies, politics,
fashion, etc. Neo-darwinism depends largely on such metaphors as
"blind variation", "selection by environment", "no creative agency in
evolution". There may be a model of variation, but there is no model
of "blind variation" because blindness is a metaphor.
>Can *all* self-organisational processes be seen in evolutionary terms?
>i.e. does every self-organisaitonal process involve:
> a) some unit that is, fairly reliably persistent or duplicated
> b) some process that produces variations on these units
> c) some process of selection acting on these units
Bruce, you listed several features of self-organizing processes
but they all have no clear meaning. What do you mean by "unit"?
Do humans detach these units from the world or they are self-
detached? What is duplication? There is no absolute duplication.
Then who determines which characteristics are mode important for
duplication than others? What is selection? Who is the agent that
makes a selection, and what means being an agent?
I think that these questions are more important than the
question about the relation between 2 vague terms "evolution"
and "self-organization".
-Alexei
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Alexei Sharov Research Scientist
Dept. of Entomology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061
Tel. (540) 231-7316; FAX (540) 231-9131; e-mail sharov@vt.edu
Home page: http://www.gypsymoth.ento.vt.edu/~sharov/alexei.html