Mark Vellend’s book, Everything Evolves, explores how evolutionary dynamics shape our world and how we leverage these principles to address pressing challenges, like enhancing the global food supply and developing artificial intelligence that can solve complex problems independently. Vellend proposes that all observable phenomena can be understood through two key sciences: physics and the study of evolvable systems.
Vellend argues that the theory of evolution extends beyond biology, a perspective that has been previously suggested. However, he highlights a misunderstanding; starting with biology often leads to the belief that evolutionary concepts in language, technology, or economics are lesser forms. He states that evolutionary processes are not limited to biology; they also produce diverse systems, including cultural practices and technologies, all of which adapt to specific functions. By recognizing biology as one facet of a broader evolutionary process, we can more effectively apply general evolutionary theories.
The phrase “the Second Science,” which Vellend uses to describe this general evolutionary theory, was coined by evolutionary biologist Graham Bell. It draws on the idea of “The Second Sex,” Simone de Beauvoir’s seminal work. Just as women have often been defined in relation to men, evolution has not always been recognized as equally significant as physics within the scientific community. Vellend argues that there is a prevalent sentiment that if science is conducted properly, the outcomes of evolution can be predicted, akin to predicting Halley’s Comet’s return. However, he emphasizes that evolution entails fundamental unpredictability.
Bell asserts that physics and evolution are the only two processes necessary to understand the natural world. While physical laws explain how various entities function, they do not delve into how these entities originated, which is where evolution comes into play. Vellend aims to elevate the status of the Second Science within scientific discourse.
He elaborates on evolution’s unpredictability by highlighting the complexity of biological evolution. The human genome contains about 3 billion DNA base pairs, with each capable of changing in several ways, leading to vast possibilities for mutations. Predicting the impact of one mutation is difficult enough, but subsequent mutations can compound unpredictability, resulting in astronomical pathways to new species. This complexity also applies to language evolution, where the English language evolves not just through random changes but through a series of contingent events.
Vellend discusses the “Darwinian Distraction,” a phenomenon where the focus on Darwinian theory hinders the progress of general evolutionary theory. Although Darwin is celebrated for elucidating biological evolution, an obsession with his work can distract from modern evolutionary discussions. The neo-Darwinian framework incorporates elements Darwin did not understand, such as certain genetic details and assumptions about random variation that do not universally apply.
Debates about cultural evolution often center on whether it mirrors Darwinian principles, neglecting the fundamental characteristics of evolutionary systems, such as variation, inheritance, and differential success, regardless of their origins or intents.
Vellend provides the example of CRISPR, a bacterial immune system that recognizes and adapts to viral attacks. This example challenges the notion of random mutations, as the system demonstrates that the effects of mutations can be advantageous in the context of previously encountered threats. Although it complicates traditional Darwinian views, it still falls under the umbrella of evolution.
Understanding the Second Science is crucial, especially as humanity faces significant challenges. For instance, in artificial intelligence, computers do not merely follow commands; they execute algorithms that evolve over time. This adaptability is akin to evolutionary processes. Furthermore, societal tipping points-like economic or ecological collapses-are often triggered by evolutionary processes. Understanding these dynamics is essential, as is the recognition that excluding evolution from education deprives individuals of insights into their own cultural and biological development.
Original Source: https://press.princeton.edu/ideas/mark-vellend-on-everything-evolves
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Publish Date: 2025-08-11 19:29:00
