Natural Selection and Multi-Level Causation
Maximiliano Martínez, Departamento de Humanidades, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Cuajimalpa, Baja California 200 (5to Piso), DF 06760, Mexico
Andrés Moya, Unidad Mixta de Investigación en Genómica y Salud CSISP/UVEG and Instituto Cavanilles de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva, Avenida de Cataluña 21, 46020, Valencia, Spain
E-mail: mmartinez@correo.cua.uam.mx
Received 24 April 2010; Revised 22 December 2010; Accepted 21 March 2011
Abstract
In this paper, using a multilevel approach, we defend the positive role of natural selection in the generation of organismal form. Despite the currently widespread opinion that natural selection only plays a negative role in the evolution of form, we argue, in contrast, that the Darwinian factor is a crucial (but not exclusive) factor in morphological organization. Analyzing some classic arguments, we propose incorporating the notion of ‘downward causation’ into the concept of ‘natural selection.’ In our opinion, this kind of causation is fundamental to the operation of selection as a creative evolutionary process.
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NOTA CAUSTICANTE DESTE BLOGGER: Sugiro o nome para este tipo de causação: Se não for X, então Y; se não for Y, então Z; se não for Z, então todo o ABC!!!
Vão caçar sapo de botas no lago de Down (nem sei se tem!!!), mas que mecanismo é esse que tudo pode, ora de um jeito, ora de outro? Está mais para mágica do que ciência...
