Darwin's theory of gradual evolution not supported by geological history, scientist concludes
November 9, 2010
Charles Darwin's theory of gradual evolution is not supported by geological history, New York University Geologist Michael Rampino concludes in an essay in the journal Historical Biology. In fact, Rampino notes that a more accurate theory of gradual evolution, positing that long periods of evolutionary stability are disrupted by catastrophic mass extinctions of life, was put forth by Scottish horticulturalist Patrick Matthew prior to Darwin's published work on the topic.
"Matthew discovered and clearly stated the idea of natural selection, applied it to the origin of species, and placed it in the context of a geologic record marked by catastrophic mass extinctions followed by relatively rapid adaptations," says Rampino, whose research on catastrophic events includes studies on volcano eruptions and asteroid impacts. "In light of the recent acceptance of the importance of catastrophic mass extinctions in the history of life, it may be time to reconsider the evolutionary views of Patrick Matthew as much more in line with present ideas regarding biological evolution than the Darwin view."
Matthew (1790-1874), Rampino notes, published a statement of the law of natural selection in a little-read Appendix to his 1831 book Naval Timber and Arboriculture. Even though both Darwin and his colleague Alfred Russel Wallace acknowledged that Matthew was the first to put forth the theory of natural selection, historians have attributed the unveiling of the theory to Darwin and Wallace. Darwin's notebooks show that he arrived at the idea in 1838, and he composed an essay on natural selection as early as 1842—years after Matthew's work appeared. Darwin and Wallace's theory was formally presented in 1858 at a science society meeting in London. Darwin's Origin of Species appeared a year later.
...
Read more here/Leia mais aqui: PhysOrg
+++++
NOTA DESTE BLOGGER:
Eu deixei de ser evolucionista de carteirinha após a leitura do livro A caixa preta de Darwin: o desafio da bioquímica à teoria da evolução, de Michael Behe, [Rio de Janeiro, Zahar, 1997] porque a maior ideia que toda a humanidade já teve não explica a evolução lenta e gradual de um 'simples' flagelo bacteriano, não seria capaz de explicar a complexidade e diversidade das formas bióticas.
Gente, agora vem um cientista e diz: a teoria da evolução gradual de Darwin não explica a evolução.
Fui, nem sei por que, pensando que a Nomenklatura científica vai ter mais trabalho com os céticos dentro da Akademia. Não é pra menos: os cientistas devem seguir as evidências aonde elas forem dar. Michael Rampino, geólogo da Universidade de Nova York, simplesmente está seguindo as evidências encontradas na prática da paleontologia, uma ciência que encontra evidências que não corroboram as especulações transformistas de Darwin desde 1859.
Stephen Jay Gould, parece que o Rampino, num rompante [eu não pude resistir] vai seguir as suas pegadas audaciosas em desafiar a Nomenklatura científica. Rampino tem cojones, que anda muito em falta nas tabas tupiniquins quando a questão é Darwin! Aliás, eu acho que nenhum deles tem cojones para questionar Darwin na Akademia!
