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Philosophy

Selected Works

David J Depew

Challenges to Contemporary Evolutionary Theory

Articles 1 - 5 of 5

Full-Text Articles in Arts and Humanities

Developmental Systems, Darwinian Evolution,And The Unity Of Science, Bruce Weber, David Depew Dec 2000

Developmental Systems, Darwinian Evolution,And The Unity Of Science, Bruce Weber, David Depew

David J Depew

No abstract provided.


Darwinism And Developmentalism: Prospects For Convergence, David Depew Dec 1997

Darwinism And Developmentalism: Prospects For Convergence, David Depew

David J Depew

No abstract provided.


Natural Selection And Self-Organization: Dynamical Models As Clues To A New Evolutionary Synthesis, Bruce Weber, David Depew Dec 1995

Natural Selection And Self-Organization: Dynamical Models As Clues To A New Evolutionary Synthesis, Bruce Weber, David Depew

David J Depew

The Darwinian concept of natural selection was conceived within a set of Newtonianbackground assumptions about systems dynamics. Mendelian genetics at first did not sit well with the gradualist assumptions of the Darwinian theory. Eventually, however. Mendelism and Darwinism were fused by reformulating natural selection in statistical terms. This reflected a shift to a more probabilistic set of background assumptions based upon Boltzmannian systems dynamics. Recent developments in molecular genetics and paleontology have put pressure on Darwinism once again. Current work on self-organizing systems may provide a stimulus not only for increased problem solving within the Darwinian tradition, especially with respect …


Evolution, Ethics, And The Complexity Revolution, David Depew, Bruce Weber Dec 1994

Evolution, Ethics, And The Complexity Revolution, David Depew, Bruce Weber

David J Depew

No abstract provided.


Evolution In Thermodynamic Perspective: An Ecological Approach, Bruce H. Weber, David J. Depew, C Dyke, Stanley N. Salthe, Eric D. Schneider, Jeffrey S. Wicken, Robert E. Ulanowicz Dec 1988

Evolution In Thermodynamic Perspective: An Ecological Approach, Bruce H. Weber, David J. Depew, C Dyke, Stanley N. Salthe, Eric D. Schneider, Jeffrey S. Wicken, Robert E. Ulanowicz

David J Depew

Recognition that biological systems are stabilized far from equilibrium by self-organizing, informed, autocatalytic cycles and structures that dissipate unusable energy and matter has led to recent attempts to reformulate evolutionary theory. We hold that such insights are consistent with the broad development of the Darwinian Tradition and with the concept of natural selection. Biological systems are selected that re not only more efficient than competitors but also enhance the integrity of the web of energetic relations in which they are embedded. But the expansion of the informational phase space, upon which selection acts, is also guaranteed by the properties of …