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Author Topic:   Is there "Progression" in Evolutionary Theory
Loudmouth
Inactive Member


Message 16 of 20 (136447)
08-24-2004 1:49 AM
Reply to: Message 15 by Peter
08-23-2004 9:18 AM


quote:
Progression/regression are not even relevant to evolution.
It may not be relevant, but it can be used as a description of certain changes. I will agree that evolution does not intentionally choose between the two (progression/regression), but from the human perspective it can be a subjective or qualitative judgement that can be agreed on. The tough part is qualifying the smallest changes as being either regressive or progressive. However, even scientists speak of "higher taxa" or "more developed" in their writings, so I don't think it is uncalled for as long as it is understood that these are subjective descriptions and are not meant to describe the mechanism or the intention of any mechanism.

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 Message 15 by Peter, posted 08-23-2004 9:18 AM Peter has replied

Replies to this message:
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Peter
Member (Idle past 1479 days)
Posts: 2161
From: Cambridgeshire, UK.
Joined: 02-05-2002


Message 17 of 20 (138370)
08-31-2004 7:52 AM
Reply to: Message 16 by Loudmouth
08-24-2004 1:49 AM


The thread asked whether there was progression in evolutionary
theory ... I feel no.
We may or may not be able to argue whether some adaptation
or another is re/pro-gression ... but since it is purely a matter
of subjective opinion I doubt anyone will get anywhere much
with it.
cave fish loosing their eyes is progression or regression
depending on how you look at it ... but it's evolutionary
change regardless of how we view it.

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 Message 16 by Loudmouth, posted 08-24-2004 1:49 AM Loudmouth has not replied

  
Minnemooseus
Member
Posts: 3941
From: Duluth, Minnesota, U.S. (West end of Lake Superior)
Joined: 11-11-2001
Member Rating: 10.0


Message 18 of 20 (138463)
08-31-2004 12:20 PM


Progression = Evolution?
From my big Webster's:
Progression -
1) a moving forward or onward; progress
2) a sequence or succession, as of acts, happenings, etc.
In a sense of definition 2, the terms "progression" and "evolution" can be considered synonyms - They are both change through time. And the theory of evolution has itself indeed evolved.
In the sense of definition 1, there also has been progress in the theory of evolution, in that there has been an increase in the understanding of evolutionary processes.
Of course, my literalism here is not in line with NosyNed's intent of the topic title question.
I think that a progression can be progressive, regressive, or neutral (just like a mutation).
Much good stuff has been said upthread, but I thought I'd throw in this bit. Perhaps I've fallen a bit under the influence of Brad.
Moose

Professor, geology, Whatsamatta U
Evolution - Changes in the environment, caused by the interactions of the components of the environment.
"Do not meddle in the affairs of cats, for they are subtle and will piss on your computer." - Bruce Graham

  
jar
Member (Idle past 394 days)
Posts: 34026
From: Texas!!
Joined: 04-20-2004


Message 19 of 20 (138554)
08-31-2004 4:33 PM
Reply to: Message 1 by AdminNosy
08-13-2004 5:14 PM


In evolutionary terms, would we be better served by sequent instead of progression?

Aslan is not a Tame Lion

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moon
Inactive Member


Message 20 of 20 (138634)
08-31-2004 9:28 PM
Reply to: Message 14 by Loudmouth
08-15-2004 2:18 AM


Re: No such thing as "regressive evolution"
What I'd read and learned was; natural selection, the mechanism of evolution, "can lead to increased complexity, lead to decreased complexity, go round in circle, back-track,and keep things just the same." The thing is that evolution will go in every direction in wich organisms get adapt to their biotic and abiotic enviroment.
Some bacteria and viruses don't have complex dna/rna error checking or repair system and that fact accerlate their evolution in order to adapt with their severe and always changing environment. for example, Hepatitis b bacterias don't have such mechanism, so they become drug resistant.So, lees complexity, right?There are also some kind of lizard;yellow-who sneak mating from orange, orange-bully mating from blue , blue-can defeat against yellow.So., kind of seissors, stone, paper; go round in circle.
Besides, our environment is not static.So, selection is not goal oriented.
My professor used to say the famous quote:" All organisms of nowadays are survival machines of 3 billion years of evolution."
Best of all,
.....

This message is a reply to:
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