2023/03/27 by Pierrick Bourrat · 1 citation
Earth and Planetary Sciences · Physics and Astronomy · #Earth Systems and Cosmic Evolution #Advanced Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics
paper · pdf · doi:10.1017/psa.2023.44
Abstract The compatibility of the Gaia hypothesis with Darwinism is often challenged on the grounds that (1) to be potent, natural selection requires the existence of a population (whereas Gaia is a single entity), and (2) natural selection requires the entities forming a population to reproduce (whereas Gaia merely persists). However, using the Price equation, I argue, following others, that the Gaia hypothesis can fit squarely within a Darwinian framework because Gaia can exhibit adaptations if a process at a lower level (e.g., an ecosystem) can occur, and the notion of natural selection can be extended to accommodate evolution without reproduction.