Move to the EES

“A single human brain has more switches than all the computers and routers and Internet connections on Earth.” - Sanford Research The Modern Synthesis, a cornerstone of 20th-century biology, unified Darwinian natural selection with Mendelian genetics. While successful in explaining some evolutionary phenomena, it has faced criticism for its limitations in addressing complex traits like consciousness. The Extended Evolutionary Synthesis (EES) offers a broader framework that incorporates additional factors, potentially providing a more nuanced understanding of consciousness's evolution. Limitations of the Modern Synthesis in Explaining Consciousness The Modern Synthesis primarily focuses on gene-centric evolution, where random mutations provide the raw material for natural selection. This approach struggles to explain the emergence of complex traits like consciousness, which involve intricate interactions between genes, development, and the environment. Some specific limitations incl

Michael Denton's book, "Evolution: Still a Theory in Crisis," published in 2016, is a sequel to his influential 1985 work, "Evolution: A Theory in Crisis." In both books, Denton, a British-Australian biochemist, critiques the neo-Darwinian synthesis, the prevailing evolutionary theory, arguing that it is insufficient to explain the complexity and diversity of life. While Denton doesn't explicitly endorse the Extended Evolutionary Synthesis (EES), his arguments and the evidence he presents align with many of the core tenets of the EES, a growing movement in evolutionary biology that seeks to expand and refine the neo-Darwinian framework. Denton's Key Arguments Denton's primary critique of neo-Darwinism centers on its emphasis on natural selection acting on random genetic mutations as the sole driver of evolutionary change. He argues that this mechanism is inadequate to explain the origin of complex biological structures and the abrupt appe

The extended evolutionary synthesis (EES) significantly challenges the traditional Mendelian framework for understanding and measuring natural selection by broadening the scope of evolutionary processes considered. While Mendelian genetics focuses primarily on gene frequencies and their direct effects on traits, the EES incorporates a wider array of factors, leading to a more nuanced and complex view of evolutionary change. This shift in perspective necessitates a re-evaluation of the methods used to measure natural selection and interpret its outcomes. One of the key departures from the Mendelian framework lies in the EES's emphasis on constructive development . Instead of viewing organisms as passive recipients of genetic information, the EES highlights the active role of developmental processes in shaping evolutionary trajectories. Organisms possess intricate developmental systems that can generate phenotypic variation in response to both internal and ext

The Extended Evolutionary Synthesis (EES) is making waves in the scientific community, offering a broader and more nuanced understanding of evolution. This shift away from the traditional neo-Darwinian paradigm is bound to have implications for various fields, including theistic evolution. Theistic evolution, the belief that God created the universe and life through the process of evolution, has often found itself navigating the waters of scientific discovery. Now, as the EES gains traction, theistic evolution is presented with both challenges and opportunities for a richer and more dynamic engagement with the scientific understanding of life's origins. Challenges for Theistic Evolution: Complexity of Causation: The EES emphasizes the multi-faceted nature of evolutionary processes, incorporating factors like epigenetics, niche construction, and developmental bias alongside natural selection. This complexity can challenge theistic evolutionists who have traditionally fo

The phrase "survival of the fittest" has long been associated with Charles Darwin's theory of evolution, often conjuring images of brutal competition and a relentless struggle for existence. However, recent research published in the prestigious Nature Journal shows a growing body of evidence suggest that cooperation and social behavior might have played a far more significant role in the evolution of life than previously thought. This shift in perspective challenges the traditional "dog-eat-dog" view of evolution and calls for an extended evolutionary synthesis, one that incorporates the importance of cooperation and sociality into our understanding of the natural world. The Importance of Cooperation Cooperation is evident throughout the natural world, from the complex societies of ants and bees to the collaborative hunting strategies of wolves and dolphins. Even at the microbial level, bacteria engage in cooperative behaviors such as quorum sensin

The intersection of the epigenetic system, evolutionary developmental biology (evo-devo), and the Extended Evolutionary Synthesis (EES) is a fertile ground for rethinking the traditional framework of evolutionary theory. This journal article dives deep into these connections, highlighting how the EES, an updated and more holistic view of evolution, embraces developmental processes and epigenetic mechanisms to offer a richer understanding of evolutionary change. The core argument posits that the epigenetic system acts as a crucial link between genotypes and phenotypes, allowing for phenotypic plasticity and thereby facilitating adaptive evolution. Key Concepts Epigenetic System: This complex system comprises molecular mechanisms that modulate gene expression without altering the underlying DNA sequence itself. These mechanisms, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNA regulation, can be influenced by environmental factors, leading to heritable p