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I believe that the common wisdom, professed best by S.J. Gould, is
demonstrably flawed on the subject of directionality in evolution. Gould's
most recent book is a desperate attempt to retain a failing hypothesis using
examples from baseball, but in my opinion it does not make the case.
There is actually nothing scientificly difficult with many versions of
teleology. The problem is when an external and unknowable intelligence is invoked
with unpredictable desires, and presumed to be directing things. That notion
even many theologens reject. Concepts of holism do seem to result in the possibility
of a "pre-ordained" end, even from self-directed evolution (naturally mediated by
environmental selection).
I discuss the basic philosophy of this in a paper that is now out of print.
Kineman, J.J. 1991. "Gaia: Hypothesis or Worldview." In. Schneider, S.J. and P.Boston.
Scientists on Gaia. MIT Press. Unfortunately the paper has not gotten very good
circulation, a situation I am trying to correct with an html version and perhaps resubmission
to a journal.
Copyright© 1997 Principia Cybernetica -
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