Devolution (fallacy)

From ArticleWorld

If evolution is progression, then the term devolution is used by some, albeit inaccurately, to show regression of a life form to a "primitive" state. While many lay people subscribe to Lamarck’s views and give evolution a positive connotation, scientists take it at face value. They understand evolution to be directionless and hence , according to them devolution is still evolution. Further , according to scientists, evolution is the accumulation of random genetic changes/mutations in response to selection pressure. While those who think that evolution is progress hold that human beings are the most evolved forms, but scientists shun such anthropocentric views.

(This word in the correct sense is used to indicate the delagation of power.)

Evolution: A misunderstood concept

• The reason for the evolution of species is that they had to adapt to environmental changes. This almost assumes that a species can make the concious choice and direct genetic changes toward adapting to the changing environment. However, according to biologists, mutagens cause mutations at random. These random changes comntinue because they might be favorable under certain circumstances. Those that are not favorable, but just neutral, also continue.those that are harmful, are wiped due to selection pressure.

• All evolved forms are more advanced, because evolution is after all progress.

Supporters of the above view hold that the present day forms are the most advanced. Therefore, older forms are less advanced. Any change that results in an older structure is devolution. To biologists, this assumption stems from teleology. Teleology is the supposition that there is a force or a directive principal behind the changes taking place in nature. To a biologist , all changes are evolution and each structure is an adaptation to the circumstances of its evolution. Furthermore, biologists refuse to ascribe heirarchy of structures (and the purpose they serve) or function.

• All evolution will culminate in the most advanced of life forms, the human being. Evolutionary biologists at the core of their arguments, hold that changes are the accumulation of random processes and refuse to belive that human beings are the sole purpose of evolution. Their opponents, with anthropocentrism in their minds, believe that evolution is aimed at creating the most evolved form, Homo spaiens.

• All evolutionary changes will result in more complex forms. The very facts that Arabidopsis has a very small number of chromosomes compared to other angiopsperms , evolution led to the loss of the tail-bone in primates and the nictitating membrane’s dissapearance in the present day organisms is used by evolutionary biologists to argue that comlexity and evolution are not synonymous.

Views of the opponents of evolution

Biology, along with other modern sciences, is rooted in philosophical nautralism and merely attempts to study and explain natural phenomenon. Biologists do so independent of their views on the existence (or non-existence of) the supernatural. Proponents of Creationism and Intelligent design assume a-priori that there is an organizing principle. This, as mentioned before is a teleological argument, meant to prove the following :

• The existence of God.
• Displace evolution , introduce the concept of “devolution”

Devolution according to Mastropaulo 1, is the set of changes that lead to a gradual decrease in complexity and finally erasing the species. The literary genre of science fiction seeks to experiment with the mental constructs and constraints of the reader. In one such story, protoplasm is the ideal form of life and the rest of the life forms are merely products of erroneous judgement.