scholarly journals Artifacts and Their Functions

2020 ◽  
pp. 34-53
Author(s):  
A. W. Eaton
Keyword(s):  
Natural Selection ◽  
Artificial Selection ◽  
Scientific Theories ◽  
Normative Conception ◽  
Ruth Millikan ◽  
Common Understanding

How do artifacts get their functions? It is typically thought that an artifact’s function depends on its maker’s intentions. This chapter argues that this common understanding is fatally flawed. Nor can artifact function be understood in terms of current uses or capacities. Instead, it proposes that we understand artifact function on the etiological model that Ruth Millikan and others have proposed for the biological realm. This model offers a robustly normative conception of function, but it does so naturalistically by employing our best scientific theories, in particular natural selection. To help make this case, it proposes “living artifacts” (organisms designed for human purposes through artificial selection) as a bridge between the artifactual and the biological realms.

Fatal asymmetries

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Luis Sánchez
Keyword(s):  
Natural Selection ◽  
Artificial Selection ◽  
Political Institutions ◽  
Charles Darwin ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Descent Of Man

Abstract In Descent of Man, Charles Darwin noted the impact of political institutions on natural selection. He thought that institutions such as asylums or hospitals may deter natural selection; however, he did not reach a decisive answer. Questions remain as to whether the selective impacts of political institutions, which in Darwin’s terms may be referred to as “artificial selection,” are compatible with natural selection, and if so, to what extent. This essay argues that currently there appears to be an essential mismatch between nature and political institutions. Unfitted institutions put exogenous and disproportionate pressures on living beings. This creates consequences for what is postulated as the condition of basic equivalence, which allows species and individuals to enjoy similar chances of survival under natural circumstances. Thus, contrary to Darwin’s expectations, it is sustained that assumed natural selection is not discouraged but becomes exacerbated by political institutions. In such conditions, selection becomes primarily artificial and perhaps mainly political, with consequences for species’ evolutionary future.

The relationship between facial whorl direction and sidedness in ridden horses

2006 ◽  
Vol 35 ◽  
pp. 247-250
Author(s):  
H. Randle ◽  
E. Elworthy
Keyword(s):  
Natural Selection ◽  
Artificial Selection ◽  
Competitive Ability ◽  
Close Association ◽  
Human Behaviour ◽  
Physical Ability ◽  
Facial Hair ◽  
Selection For ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
The Brain

The influence of Natural Selection on the evolution of the horse (Equus callabus) is minimal due to its close association with humans. Instead Artificial Selection is commonly imposed through selection for features such as a ‘breed standard’ or competitive ability. It has long been considered to be useful if indicators of characteristics such as physical ability could be identified. Kidd (1902) suggested that the hair coverings of animals were closely related to their lifestyle, whether they were active or passive. In 1973 Smith and Gong concluded that hair whorl (trichloglyph) pattern and human behaviour is linked since hair patterning is determined at the same time as the brain develops in the foetus. More recently Grandin et al. (1995), Randle (1998) and Lanier et al. (2001) linked features of facial hair whorls to behaviour and production in cattle. Hair whorl features have also been related to temperament in equines (Randle et al., 2003).

scholarly journals A SIMULATION STUDY OF TRUNCATION SELECTION FOR A QUANTITATIVE TRAIT OPPOSED BY NATURAL SELECTION

Genetics ◽  
1980 ◽  
Vol 94 (4) ◽  
pp. 989-1000
Author(s):  
Francis Minvielle
Keyword(s):  
Natural Selection ◽  
Artificial Selection ◽  
Random Mating ◽  
Selection Response ◽  
Quantitative Character ◽  
Mass Selection ◽  
Frequency Selection ◽  
Selection Experiments ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Selective Process

ABSTRACT A quantitative character controlled at one locus with two alleles was submitted to artificial (mass) selection and to three modes of opposing natural selection (directional selection, overdominance and underdominance) in a large random-mating population. The selection response and the limits of the selective process were studied by deterministic simulation. The lifetime of the process was generally between 20 and 100 generations and did not appear to depend on the mode of natural selection. However, depending on the values of the parameters (initial gene frequency, selection intensity, ratio of the effect of the gene to the environmental standard deviation, fitness values) the following outcomes of selection were observed: fixation of the allele favored by artificial selection, stable nontrivial equilibrium, unstable equilibrium and loss of the allele favored by artificial selection. Finally, the results of the simulation were compared to the results of selection experiments.

Adaptive Enemies

2020 ◽  
pp. 38-65
Author(s):  
David Kilcullen
Keyword(s):  
Natural Selection ◽  
Artificial Selection ◽  
Armed Forces ◽  
Irregular Warfare ◽  
Operational Environment ◽  
Military Innovation ◽  
Institutional Adaptation ◽  
Key Concepts ◽  
Modes Of Innovation ◽  
The Cold War

This chapter draws on key concepts from evolutionary theory, anthropology, and social science to explore how adaptive enemies evolve and adapt under conditions of conflict. It identifies four key mechanisms of evolution in irregular warfare—social learning, natural selection, artificial selection (including both unconscious artificial selection and predator effects), and institutional adaptation—and gives examples of each. It also examines forms of conscious military innovation by states, and draws a distinction between peacetime (concept led) and wartime (reactive) modes of innovation. The chapter argues that domination of the operational environment by Western armed forces since the end of the Cold War has created evolutionary pressure to which all adversaries—state and non-state—have responded, and that this response is shaping new approaches to war.

A Socioevolutionary Approach to Religious Change

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan T. Cragun ◽  
J. Edward Sumerau
Keyword(s):  
Natural Selection ◽  
Causal Relationship ◽  
Evolutionary Theory ◽  
Artificial Selection ◽  
Religious Change ◽  
Social Phenomenon ◽  
Theory Of Religion

A number of scholars have suggested that religion may be explained using evolutionary theory and, in particular, natural selection. Much of this research suggests that behaviors encouraged by religions are beneficial while failing to illustrate a causal relationship between religiosity and these behaviors. This chapter challenges these approaches, arguing that religion is primarily a social phenomenon and that any health or evolutionary benefits that might indirectly derive from religions are actually attributable to the behaviors themselves: Religions have simply co-opted those behaviors. Additionally, it argues that natural selection alone is a problematic approach to understanding religion and suggests that Darwin’s notion of artificial selection be integrated into any attempts to use evolution to explain religion. We use examples from a variety of religions to illustrate how a socioevolutionary theory of religion that incorporates natural and artificial selection is preferable to approaches that rely exclusively on natural selection.

NATURAL SELECTION OPPOSING ARTIFICIAL SELECTION: A TWO-LOCUS DETERMINISTIC SIMULATION

Genetics ◽  
1981 ◽  
Vol 98 (1) ◽  
pp. 231-238
Author(s):  
Francis Minvielle
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Simulation ◽  
Linkage Disequilibrium ◽  
Natural Selection ◽  
Artificial Selection ◽  
Random Mating ◽  
Base Population ◽  
Truncation Selection ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Mating Population ◽  
Central Equilibrium

ABSTRACT A two-locus, two-allele metric trait was submitted to artificial truncation selection and to three types of opposing natural selection (two-locus extensions of directional selection, overdominance and underdominance) by numerical simulation in a large random-mating population. Limits to selection were generally reached by generation 100. Intermediate selection plateaus were found, with minor genes, for all three modes of opposing natural selection, but they were least frequent with underdominance. Multiple outcomes were common. In particular, fixation of the genotype favored by artificial selection was often associated with fixation of another genotype and/or with a central equilibrium; the end point actually reached depended on the genetic starting point of the simulation. In general, when the alleles favored by truncation selection were combined (positive linkage disequilibrium) in the base population, or when the trait was determined by major genes, artificial selection would prevail. Limitations inherent to this type of work are discussed, and possible avenues for further work on the antagonism between artificial and natural selection are proposed.

Value of cabins for reproduction of the coniferous and broad-leaved woods of Central Volga Area

10.12737/3826 ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 108-111
Author(s):  
Глушко ◽  
Sergey Glushko
Keyword(s):  
Natural Selection ◽  
Artificial Selection ◽  
Deciduous Forests ◽  
Pine Forests ◽  
Forest Communities ◽  
Forest Stands ◽  
Selection Cutting ◽  
Degradation Processes ◽  
Appropriate Care ◽  
Successful Reproduction

During the formation of forest communities, the competition intensifies, the predominance of the group receives a form of natural selection. Weakening forest stands reflected in the fall of increment volume and degradation. In the study area pines sufficiently balanced and suitable for complex management. Artificial pines, with appropriate care, enriched with the participation of hardwood (birch, linden), and can be quite durable. In pine plantings it is necessary to conduct intensive artificial selection, cutting “according state”, that will keep the pine forests composed in polydominant woods of the region. The proposed cuttings of pine “according state” are necessary to prevent the degradation processes for the successful reproduction of coniferous-deciduous forests in the region.

scholarly journals Selection for a threshold character in Drosophila II. Homeostatic behaviour on relaxation of selection

1966 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 205-218 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. D. H. Latter
Keyword(s):  
Natural Selection ◽  
Artificial Selection ◽  
Competitive Ability ◽  
Reproductive Capacity ◽  
Correlated Responses ◽  
Genetic Sampling ◽  
Bristle Number ◽  
Large Populations ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Two Phases

This paper is concerned with three related aspects of the behaviour of populations under artificial selection for increased scutellar bristle number: (i) the pattern of response on the probit scale; (ii) the homeostatic behaviour of the selection lines on relaxation of artificial selection; and (iii) correlated responses in generation interval, reproductive capacity and competitive ability. The study was designed so that linkage would be a comparatively unimportant factor in promoting correlated responses to selection, and the effects of genetic sampling from generation to generation were also reduced to a low level.Progress from the base mean of 4·05 bristles in females to a level of almost 8 bristles has been shown to involve two distinct phases with realized heritabilities of 0·34 and 0·10 respectively, the zone of transition corresponding closely to the position of the 6/7 threshold on the underlying scale. In addition to an apparent average reduction of about 25% in the additive genetic standard deviation in phase II by comparison with phase I, the loss in response due to the opposition of natural selection has been shown to reach a maximum near the zone of separation of the two phases.The pattern of behaviour of the populations under artificial and natural selection has suggested the presence in the base population of genes of large effect on both bristle number and reproductive fitness. There is also evidence of additional genetic variation in bristle number which is effectively neutral with respect to fitness. Continued selection for increased scutellar bristle number in large populations has been shown to reduce mean competitive ability by more than 80%.

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