Waubonsee Community College

The paradox of evolution, the strange relationship between natural selection and reproduction, Stephen Rothman

eng

Includes bibliographical references (pages 221-236) and index

index present

non fiction

The paradox of evolution

bibliography

904967923

Stephen Rothman

the strange relationship between natural selection and reproduction

"In [this book], psychologist Stephen Rothman exposes a major, through remarkably amost completely neglected problem with Darwin's theory of evolution. Its two essential elements, natural selection and reproduction, are in important respects contradictory. In considering their relationship, Rothman makes the revolutionary claim that the evolution of life's complex and diverse reproductive mechanisms is not the consequence of natural selection. In so doing, he exposes the deepest question possible about life's nature-- its reason for being. In meticulously detailed but accessible terms he lays out the crux of the paradox and offers an intriguing solution within a naturalistic framework. In an obstensibly purposeless universe, somehow purposeful life has evolved. For all living things there are two overarching purposes: survival and the creation of new life. Natural selection is about the survival of existing life but has no interest in life's future, whether it persists or perishes. By contrast, reproduction is only about the future of life and has no interest in existing life except as a means to an end. Where do these purposes come from? As Rothamn demonstrates, at every level life is wired to react to danger. Counterintuitively, without danger life would neithr have come into being nor evolved. In the same way, death drives the creation of new life and has propelled the evolution of the mechanisms of reproduction. Written with great clarity and informed by deep learning, this elegant, thoughtful work tackles some of the most challening questions raised by the theory of evolution." -- P. [4] Cover

Two mysteries -- a story of nature and science -- A most extraordinary theory -- the remarkable impact of a scientific theory on society -- A look inside Darwin's theory -- is the theory of evolution by means of natural selection internally consistent? -- The meaning of natural selection -- defining natural selection -- One for all did natural selection produce the mechanisms of reproduction? -- The other beginning -- the reproduction of cells -- Reproduction beyond replicating molecules and reproducing cells- -- Natural selection and the evolution of the reproductive mechanisms of life -- Iridescent brilliance -- Darwin worries about peacocks and finds sexual selection -- On the importance of small differences-the basis for sexual attraction -- In the eyes of the beholder -- utility vs. beauty in sexual attraction -- The great contradiction -- teleology rears its ugly head -- Purpose-teleology cannot be denied -- Darwin's teleology of survival -- the scientific basis for purpose in life -- The laws of nature-purpose from physical law -- The purposes of reproduction-why reproduction? -- The means-the agency of reproductive selection -- The final cause of reproduction -- what causes reproductive evolution? -- "For the sake of which..."