human ecology
Biology
Theories of evolutionary change
From Mayr (1963:1970, p. 2)
- A. Monistic (single factor explanations)
- 1. Ectogenetic: changes directly induced by the
environment
- (a) Random response (for example, radiation
effects)
- (b) Adaptive response (Geoffroyism)
- 2. Endogenetic: changes controlled by intrinsic forces
- (a) Finalistic (orthogenesis)
- (b) Volitional (genuine Lamarckism)
- (c) Mutational limitations
- (d) Epigenetic limitations
- 3. Random events ("accidents")
- (a) Spontaneous mutations
- (b) Recombination
- 4. Natural Selection
- B. Synthetic (multiple-factor explanations)
- 1b + 2a + 2b = most "Lamarckian-type" theories
- 1b + 2b + 2c + 4 = some recent "Lamarckian" theories
- 1b + 3 + 4 = late Darwin, Plate, most nonmutationists
during first three decades of 20th century
- 3 + 4 = early "modern synthesis"
- 1a + 2c + 2d + 3 + 4 = recent "modern synthesis"
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Created 25/2/98
Last modified 1/3/00