Mutation, Randomness, and Evolution

The author argues that mutation is random and that this randomness influences evolution through a first-come, first-served mechanism. This book offers a fresh, far-reaching, and testable view of the role of variation as a dispositional evolutionary factor, accessible to philosophers, historians, researchers, and advanced students of evolution.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 08 June 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press

The author delves into the intricate realm of mutational mechanisms, challenging the notion of randomness as a mere fact-based conclusion in the realm of evolution. Instead, they propose that the randomness doctrine serves as the foundation of a neo-Darwinian research program centered around selection. This program has achieved significant success, leading to a blind spot in mathematical models and verbal theories of causation that has hindered efforts to re-examine the role of variation in shaping adaptations. However, recent theoretical and empirical advancements have revealed that mutational biases can and do exert influence on the course of evolution, particularly in the realm of adaptive evolution. Through a mechanism known as "first come, first served," mutational biases play a pivotal role in determining the trajectory of evolutionary processes.

This thought-provoking book navigates the complex intersection of mutation, randomness, and evolution, presenting a novel, expansive, and empirically testable perspective on the role of variation as a dispositional evolutionary factor. The arguments presented in this work are accessible to philosophers and historians with a deep interest in evolution, as well as to researchers and advanced students specializing in fields such as molecules, microbes, evo-devo, and population genetics. By unraveling the complexities of mutational processes and their impact on evolution, this book offers valuable insights into the mechanisms driving the diversity of life on our planet.

Dimension: 246 x 189 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780192872579