Abstract: The Gaia hypothesis – the notion that this earth has homeostatic feedbacks evolved as adaptations through natural selection – is not easily squared with traditional Darwinian thinking. Alternative formulations consider that differential persistence (as well as differential reproduction) is a legitimately Darwinian mechanism or outcome of evolution by natural selection. Thinking this way points to new directions in philosophical and empirical research. The Gaia hypothesis in a strong and frequently criticized form assumes that global homeostatic mechanisms have evolved by natural selection favoring the maintenance of conditions suitable for life. Traditional neoDarwinists hold this to be impossible in theory. But the hypothesis does make sense if one treats the clade that comprises the biological component of Gaia as an individual and allows differential persistence – as well as differential reproduction – to be an outcome of evolution by natural selection. Recent developments in theoretical and experimental evolutionary biology may justify both maneuvers. The Gaia hypothesis in a strong and frequently criticized form assumes that global homeostatic mechanisms have evolved by natural selection favoring the maintenance of conditions suitable for life. Traditional neoDarwinists hold this to be impossible in theory. But the hypothesis does make sense if one treats the clade that comprises the biological component of Gaia as an individual and allows differential persistence – as well as differential reproduction – to be an outcome of evolution by natural selection. Recent developments in theoretical and experimental evolutionary biology may justify both maneuvers.
Publication Year: 2019
Publication Date: 2019-05-30
Language: en
Type: review
Indexed In: ['crossref', 'pubmed']
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Cited By Count: 49
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