Izvorni znanstveni članak
Is there a unique process which governs macroevolution?
Tonći Kokić
orcid.org/0000-0002-6918-0666
Sažetak
Some philosophers and biologists believe that there is a distinct and unique macroevolutionary process, while others are of the opinion that there is not. Contemporary opinions on this issue are presented in Dietrich’s and Erwin’s respective essays published in Contemporary Debates in Philosophy of Biology, edited by F. Ayala and R. Arp. Contrary to the paper titles (Microevolution and Macroevolution are Governed by the Same Processes and Microevolution and Macroevolution are Not Governed by the Same Processes), indicating apparently contradictory attitudes, the two authors’ viewpoints are much more subtle and nuanced. The set of assumptions of Dietrich’s extrapolation view appears to be inconsistent, and the theory may be saved by a shift to paraconsistent logic which, in spite of the contradiction, does not lead to the collapse of the theory. On the other hand, Erwin’s hierarchic view implicitly supports the existing logic of the superordinate theory, believing that there is evidence that at least in one case it is possible to prove that macroevolution cannot be reduced to a microevolutionary process. The study of emergence would indicate the acceptability of the claim that geographic range at the species level represents a weakly emergent phenomenon which cannot be explained by being reduced to microevolution processes. Nevertheless, the hierarchical view still seems to lack sufficient convincing evidence for that claim.
Ključne riječi
extrapolation; geographic range; hierarchical view; phenomenon of macroevolution; process of macroevolution
Hrčak ID:
148776
URI
Datum izdavanja:
30.11.2015.
Posjeta: 1.649 *