What is Evolution by Natural Selection?

1) a term which describes a cascade of causes and random variables, driven by
a) recombining DNA via sexual reproduction, genetic engineering, and any other heritable changes to the DNA code
b) efforts and luck/chance of each generation and individual (including all environmental factors)

2) widely misunderstood in its mechanisms
a) "Survival of the Fittest" is not a mechanism of Natural Selection but a rhetorical footnote; it describes an apparent statistical pattern, but no such variable as "Survival of the Fittest" appears in any truly functional equation of the science of Evolution

3) Human beings often misapply the concept in trying to justify some maneuver.
The Nazis were motivated to their over-zealousness in part by a perception that Natural Selection was a universal truth, although not a comforting one. But Natural Selection is merely a phenomenon. To be Truth, something should be more than a phenomenon.

• What "functional equation of the science of evolution" - secretary - January 25, 2005 - 19:05 UTC
  • I will only answer questions from non-anonymous persons - quiet - January 25, 2005 - 20:00 UTC
  • I never implied or stated there is ONE functional equation..." - quiet - January 25, 2005 - 23:46 UTC
    • The point is - secretary - January 26, 2005 - 02:17 UTC
      • Dear anonymous or mis-ID'd "Secretary".:... that was funny - quiet - January 26, 2005 - 05:27 UTC
      • Yay! the equations for evolution can't be made into a death ray - kantolfir2 - January 26, 2005 - 06:43 UTC