Contingent evolution: what pushes it? (Introduction)

by Balance_Maintained , U.S.A., Monday, November 03, 2014, 05:56 (3463 days ago) @ David Turell

GK: You used the word "aliens" before. Can you modify that description for me? Just a little? Can you remove the "us" and "them" and solve for ' Contingent evolution" all in one swoop? With the least amount of assumptions? 
> 
> To me contingent evolution means one step follows another. For Gould this meant a chance sequence. Evolution is either by chance or it is planned. There is no third way.-Unless you are lumping this under "planned", there is a third way. That third way is variation within kinds confined by stringent limitations. It is kind of the halfway point between the two you listed. It allows for change (read evolution) and adaptation (read evolution) but only within tightly defined parameters, some of which will automagically default back to their original settings after several generations if the originating pressure that triggered the change is removed (read epigenietics).

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What is the purpose of living? How about, 'to reduce needless suffering. It seems to me to be a worthy purpose.