· 2018
Adaptation and Natural Selection: A Critique of Some Current Evolutionary Thought
- 2,798citations
- 2018year
Short summary
This classic 1966 work by Williams delivered a foundational critique against the concept of group selection, strongly advocating for individual-level natural selection as the primary driver of evolution.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Key points
- Critiques and refutes the theory of group selection in evolution.
- Champions individual-level natural selection as the dominant evolutionary mechanism.
- Presents a thorough and convincing argument for Darwinian principles.
- Remains a classic text for understanding evolutionary thought and scientific debate.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Abstract
Biological evolution is a fact-but the many conflicting theories of evolution remain controversial even today. When Adaptation and Natural Selection was first published in 1966, it struck a powerful blow against those who argued for the concept of group selection-the idea that evolution acts to select entire species rather than individuals. Williams's famous work in favor of simple Darwinism over group selection has become a classic of science literature, valued for its thorough and convincing argument and its relevance to many fields outside of biology. Now with a new foreword by Richard Dawkins, Adaptation and Natural Selection is an essential text for understanding the nature of scientific debate
The authors' abstract, as published at the source., 2018 · DOI ↗
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Field: History and Philosophy of Science
History and Philosophy of ScienceArts and Humanities