Theory of Evolution vs. Process of Evolution

[sphenisc]

The distinction is certainly important. In particular,* Minsky has used the process of evolution to word the Theorem of Evolution:

The Process of Evolution is the following abstract idea:

There is a population of things that reproduce, at different rates in different environments. Those rates depend, statistically, on a collection of inheritable traits. Those traits are subject to occasional mutations, some of which are then inherited.

Then one can deduce, from logic alone, without any need for evidence, that:

THEOREM: Each population will tend to increase the proportion of traits that have higher reproduction rates in its current environment.

Emphasis mine.

~~ Paul

* Yes, yes, again.

(I'm not sure if I can quote a quote with a quote in it, so I hope this has worked!)

I disagree with Minsky (not a phrase I've used very often) in that the statement "deduce, from logic alone" is basically equivalent to "then a miracle happens" in the famous cartoon. My response is the same - "you need to be more explicit at step two."

 

[HeyLeroy]

Let me admit that I inferred controversy in the title of this thread to attract as many viewings as possible. I'm not trying to set up some steel-cage death-match kumite between rival groups, just some attention-whoring for my idea.
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Didn't you mean implied
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Dave

:b :b