The Evolutionary Process in Lamarckism and Darwinism: similarities and differences

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 PhD of Philosophy of Science and Technology, Institute for Humanities and Cultural Studies. Tehran, Iran

2 Associate Professor of Philosophy of Science and Technology, Institute for Humanities and Cultural Studies, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

It is a widely held view that the inheritance of acquired characteristics plays an important role in Lamarck's ideas about evolution, and there are some counter-instances against it. As a result, his theory is called into question. This article explains that contrary to this view, the inheritance of acquired characteristics is a common ground between Lamarck and Darwin. And the contradictions could probably be resolved, as we shall see. The study shows that the main differences between the views of the two founders of evolutionary theory lie in their claims about the speed of evolution and the adoption of an individual or population approach to evolution and its purposiveness or randomness. In this commentary, we use these similarities and differences to discuss how not only is the quasi-scientific nature of Lamarck's theories unacceptable, but that maintaining Lamarck's explanatory framework is essential for a more accurate understanding of the evolutionary process. And it can in some ways complement the Darwinian and neo-Darwinian views of evolution. Therefore, using these two theoretical systems as complements will increase the explanatory power of evolutionary theories

Keywords

References

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Journal of Philosophical Investigations
Volume 16, Issue 39 - Serial Number 39
Special Issue
Special Issue: Philosophy of Education (In Persian)
September 2022
Pages 577-593

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