Claim CB951:

Long-term trends, also known as linear evolution or orthogenesis, are not supported by evolutionary theory, because evolutionary theory does not include a memory of past trends.

Response:

  1. Orthogenesis, indeed, is not supported by evolutionary theory, which is why it is not considered a part of modern evolutionary theory. Few if any evolutionists today believe that evolution proceeds directly to goals.

    There are mechanisms that can cause long-term trends. For example, a gradual climate change can cause adaptations that follow the climate change over a long time. An evolutionary arms race can result in a trend in the two species involved. These trends, however, are guided by the mechanisms as they exist at the time; they are not guided by a long-term goal.

Links:

Wilkins, John, 1998. So you want to be an anti-Darwinian: Varieties of opposition to Darwinism. http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/anti-darwin.html
Previous Claim: CB950   |   List of Claims   |   Next Claim: CB952
created 2003-6-16