DNA Dispose, but Subjects Decide. Learning and the Extended Synthesis

• Published in: Biosemiotics Vol. 8; no. 3; pp. 443 - 461
• Main Author: Lindholm, Markus
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01.12.2015; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Artificial Intelligence; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Choice learning; Epigenetics; Evolution; Evolutionary Biology; Genetic drift; Life Sciences; Linguistics; Mate selection; Natural selection; Phenotypic variations; Philosophy of Science; Psychology; Review; Speciation; Learning; The modern synthesis; The extended synthesis; Decision making; Speciation; Darwin’s finches

Adaptation by means of natural selection depends on the ability of populations to maintain variation in heritable traits. According to the Modern Synthesis this variation is sustained by mutations and genetic drift. Epigenetics, evodevo, niche construction and cultural factors have more recently bee...