Darwinian Dynamics Implies Developmental Ascendency

TL;DR

This paper critiques the concept of developmental ascendency, arguing it is improperly positioned within biological theory hierarchies and can cause confusion, despite its innovative idea.

Contribution

It clarifies the hierarchical placement of developmental ascendency in biological theories and highlights potential confusions arising from its current conceptualization.

Findings

Developmental ascendency is conceptually valuable but misordered in theory hierarchies.

Correct hierarchical placement clarifies biological theory structure.

The paper discusses additional examples of theoretical misplacements.

Abstract

A tendency in biological theorizing is to formulate principles above or equal to Evolution by Variation and Selection of Darwin and Wallace. In this letter I analyze one such recent proposal which did so for the developmental ascendency. I show that though the idea of developmental ascendency is brilliant, this is in wrong order in the hierarchical structure of biological theories and can easily generate confusing. Several other examples are also briefly discussed in the note added.