Move to the EES

" The summary of the state of affairs on the 150th anniversary of the Origin is somewhat shocking: in the post-genomic era, all major tenets of the Modern Synthesis fthe theory of evolution) are, if not outright overturned replaced by a new and incomparably more complex vision of the key aspects of evolution (EES). So, not to mince words , the Modern Synthesis is gone" -Eugene Koonin, an evolutionary biologist (Cited by over 270,000 evolutionary scientists.) The Extended Evolutionary Synthesis (EES) represents a significant departure from the traditional neo-Darwinian framework, also known as the Modern Synthesis . While both theories aim to explain evolutionary change, they differ fundamentally in their underlying mechanisms and the roles they assign to various biological processes. A crucial point of divergence lies in the interpretation and application of the term " evolutionary ," particularly concerning the incorporation of epigenetic mechanisms....

The "Extended Evolutionary Synthesis" (EES) has emerged as a significant contender to the "Modern Synthesis" (MS), the prevailing framework in evolutionary biology. A cornerstone of the EES is the concept of " reciprocal causation," which posits a dynamic, two-way interaction between evolutionary factors, challenging the traditionally unidirectional view of causation inherent in the MS. The journal article "Reciprocal causation and biological practice" delves into the arguments surrounding this concept, exploring its implications for scientific modeling, representation of biological reality, and explanatory power. Proponents of the EES argue that reciprocal causation offers a more accurate depiction of evolutionary processes. They contend that the MS, with its emphasis on genes as primary drivers and environment as a selective force, overlooks the complex interplay between organisms and their environments. Reciprocal causation, ...

The journal article "Deconstructing the Extended Evolutionary Synthesis: Do We Need a New Theory of Evolution?" delves into the ongoing debate surrounding the adequacy of the Modern Synthesis (MS) in explaining the complexities of evolutionary processes. The authors scrutinize the Extended Evolutionary Synthesis (EES), a proposed expansion of the MS, and ultimately argue for a more radical shift in evolutionary theory, suggesting a need for a "Unmodern Synthesis." One pivotal quote highlights the historical context of the EES: "Historically, this model builds upon anti-Darwinian models and is based on the epistemological data of contemporary Evo-Devo." This statement underscores the EES's reliance on concepts that were initially rejected by the MS, such as the significance of developmental processes and structuralism. Evo-Devo, or evolutionary developmental biology, has provided crucial insights into how developmental mechanisms influence ...

The study of evolution, the cornerstone of modern biology, has been shaped by various historical narratives and theoretical frameworks. While the Modern Synthesis (MS) stands as the dominant paradigm, recent years have witnessed growing calls for an " Extended Evolutionary Synthesis " (EES) to better encompass the complexity of evolutionary processes. Understanding these narratives and the tensions between MS and EES is crucial for appreciating the dynamism and multifaceted nature of evolutionary theory. One key point of contention involves the historical portrayal of the MS. Often called " Neo-Darwinism ," it's essential to recognize the MS as a confluence of ideas, not a rigidly defined ideology. It integrated gene-centered Darwinism with population genetics, paleontology, and developmental biology, forging a powerful understanding of evolution driven by natural selection acting on heritable variation. However, critics argue that MS narratives oft...