"All this is a manifestation of the rightness of things, since if there is a volcano at Lisbon it could not be anywhere else. For it is impossible for things not to be where they are, because everything is for the best...."
Dr Pangloss in "Candide" on the great Lisbon earthquake of 1755 in which up to 50,000 people lost their lives.
Voltaire heaped ridicule on Dr Pangloss in "Candide":
"Things cannot be other than they are.... everything is made for the best purpose. Our noses were meant to carry spectacles, so we have spectacles. Legs were clearly intended for breeches, and we wear them."
Point being made :
Evolutionary biologists tend to focus exclusively on the immediate adaptation to local conditions, and tend to ignore architectural constraints and preform just such an inversion of explanation.
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Courtesy: The Spandrels of San Marco, An essay by SJ Gould.
Dr Pangloss in "Candide" on the great Lisbon earthquake of 1755 in which up to 50,000 people lost their lives.
Voltaire heaped ridicule on Dr Pangloss in "Candide":
"Things cannot be other than they are.... everything is made for the best purpose. Our noses were meant to carry spectacles, so we have spectacles. Legs were clearly intended for breeches, and we wear them."
Point being made :
Evolutionary biologists tend to focus exclusively on the immediate adaptation to local conditions, and tend to ignore architectural constraints and preform just such an inversion of explanation.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Courtesy: The Spandrels of San Marco, An essay by SJ Gould.
"Evolutionary biologists tend to focus exclusively on the immediate adaptation to local conditions, and tend to ignore architectural constraints and preform just such an inversion of explanation."
ReplyDeletewhat are "architectural constraints" and "inversion of explanation."
can you please explain?
Inversion of explanation is when the Panglossian Paradigm says that "our noses were meant to wear spectacles so we wear spectacles etc etc".
ReplyDeleteArchitectural constraints are not easy to explain but the fundamental here is that evolution works on the raw material which is already available. In the development of an organism there are constraints which exist out of the sheer physical possibility of a particular trait.... for example, the surface area/ volume ratio is an architectural constraint which limits development and evolution. In the development of higher organisms, it has been noted that the ratio of brain to body is relatively fixed (around 0.3 to 0.5). Thus, one must not try and create evolutionary explanations exclusively focusing in the immediate adaptation to local conditions. For greater insight, i would recommend you read the essay itself.
I don't know if i am clear but i guess that's the best i can do for now... :)
I have Gould's essays on my wishlist. I can take the book as a gift from you. Thank you very much if you have considered gifting me :-))
ReplyDeleteVery very hopeful... I must say...
ReplyDeleteI love the optimism but as you friend i think i should prepare you for the harsh world awaiting you and not let all your hopes come true...
Trust me i have your best interests at heart... :-)