Is Darwinism a scientific theory Nissim Amzallag Truth

Is Darwinism a scientific ? theory Nissim Amzallag

Truth and faith in Biology François Jacob Nobel Prize (1965) Biochmistry and Medicine “Like the other sciences, Biology has lost today its illusions. It does not look anymore for truth. It builds its own. ” The logic of life (1970), p. 24

Scientific truth as dialog Theory Observed diversity Common principles Experience testability = criterion of scientificity

The birth of Scientific Biology J. B. Lamarck (1744 -1829) 1802 1809

The Lamarck’s achievements Theory a d e ct e j e Evolution R n e i c founded s n o n s Comparative anatomy Embryology, Molecular Biology Invertebrates and General systematics Systematics Existence of an evolutionary tree of life e i c s n o Mechanism Adaptive transformations n s a of evolution become inherited d e t c e j Re c i tif Testability founded c i f i nt Systematics Paleontology Geology Physiology, Embryology Ecology

The Darwin’s flood Evolution Molecular Biology Ethology Microbiology Cell differentiation Ecology Immunology Genetics C. Darwin (1809 -1882)

Darwin’s contribution to Biology Systematics Classification of Cirripedae (1854) Problematic Evolution Transformation of species (1859) Already known Mechanism of evolution Natural selection Theoretical Novelty

Darwin’s ‘Origin of Species’ the first comments Auguste Laugel Scientist, Historian, Philosopher 1830 -1914 The main problem of theory [Evolution by Natural Selection], the author acknowledges it, is the absence of evidences justifying it. It is always question of observations that should be further developed. We should wait for the detailed treatise that Mr Darwin promises to publish soon in order to form a definite opinion about his theory. (Revue des deux mondes, 1860, 26, p. 667)

The fundamental problem Verification Triviality Scientific truth the most represented The pre-adapted individuals are The best reproducers are the most represented at next the next generation at the generation Theory The pre-adapted individuals The best reproducers

Justification 1: The lack of alternative Physiological adaptation n e i c. Environmental s n as o n The entire population overcomes transformations d e j e R t c e Testable c i f ti Spontaneously pre-adapted individuals changes Gradual overrepresentation of the most fertile individuals Non-testable Evolutionary transformations

Justification 2: Fighting obscurantism Science Religion Evolution Creationism Darwinism Obscurantism Darwinism = Theory about mechanisms of evolution

Justification 3: Fundaments of “rational biology” complex characters gradual selection Blind variations Complex character = Sum of elementary characters Completion of Cartesian revolution in Biology

Darwinism as religion Karl Popper (1902 -1994) 1974 “I intend to argue that theory of Natural Selection is not a testable scientific theory but a metaphysical research program, and although it is no doubt the best at present available, it can perhaps be slightly improved. ” (Chap 33)

The cultural context of Darwinism Eugenism: Cultural management of Natural Selection in mankind First Eugenic laws 1907 USA (Indiana) 1910 Eugenic Record Office (USA) Eugenic Education Society (GB) 1928 Switzerland (Vaud) 1933 Germany - Denmark The missing countries France Italy Spain-Portugal Greece Poland 1935 Sweden - Norway Protestant Russia Catholic / Orthodox

The Calvinist dimension of Darwinism Calvinism Darwinism God chooses individuals among the population Few individuals are spontaneously pre-adapted The chosen are a minority benefiting god's blessing Pre-adapted individuals multiply the fastest The divine criteria for election is impenetrable Pre-adaptation emerges randomly Election is determined at birth, and maintained for life Fitness is genetically determined from conception Election is inherited, but may be silenced for generations Fitness is inherited but may be silenced for generations There is no personal merit in divine election Adaptation is entirely circumstantial

The Darwinian Dark Age