The purpose of adaptation
Andy Gardner
Published 18 August 2017.DOI: 10.1098/rsfs.2017.0005
Abstract
A central feature of Darwin's theory of natural selection is that it explains the purpose of biological adaptation. Here, I: emphasize the scientific importance of understanding what adaptations are for, in terms of facilitating the derivation of empirically testable predictions; discuss the population genetical basis for Darwin's theory of the purpose of adaptation, with reference to Fisher's ‘fundamental theorem of natural selection'; and show that a deeper understanding of the purpose of adaptation is achieved in the context of social evolution, with reference to inclusive fitness and superorganisms.
Data accessibility
This article has no additional data.
Competing interests
I declare I have no competing interests.
Funding
I am supported by an Independent Research Fellowship awarded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NE/K009524/1).
Acknowledgement
I thank Steven Frank and two anonymous reviewers for helpful comments and discussion.
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