Synergistic selection: A Darwinian frame for the evolution of complexity

摘要: Abstract Non-Darwinian theories about the emergence and evolution of complexity date back at least to Lamarck, include those Herbert Spencer “emergent evolution” theorists later nineteenth early twentieth centuries. In recent decades, this approach has mostly been espoused by various practitioners in biophysics theory. However, there is a Darwinian alternative – essence, an economic theory proposing that synergistic effects kinds have played important causal role complexity, especially “major transitions”. This called “synergism hypothesis”. We posit otherwise unattainable functional advantages arising from cooperative phenomena favored over time dynamic late John Maynard Smith characterized modeled as “synergistic selection”. The term highlights fact “wholes” may become interdependent “units” selection. provide some historical perspective on issue, well brief explication underlying concept selection, we describe two relevant models.