De-evolution
From RationalWiki
De-evolution or devolution is a theory that man (or anything) is actually evolving backward. This is often favoured by Biblical literalists who like to view Adam and Eve as perfect beings who were created, and that the human race has "devolved" from them. De-evolution is sometimes formalised by the assertion that all mutations destroy infomation, rather than create infomation.
Contents |
[edit] Applicability to evolution
The term is sort of a misnomer as evolution and natural selection do not have a definitive path forward. Evolutionary theory as it is, however, is an unguided process. As a result, the concept is usually a plea to emotional attachment that humans may have for their own percieved superiority. In the cold, reasoned light of science, however, such a notion doesn't hold, and unguided evolution - niether forward nor backward - is the dominant theory.
[edit] Example
Consider a cave-living fish which loses its power of sight because it is not needed in dark conditions where sight is useless anyway. Believers in de-evolution would cite this as a prime example of an ability is lost, possibly forever, and devolution from the perfection of creation in action. However, considering the reality of unguided evolution, this interpretation makes little sense and the adaption of sight being lost can be thought of more generally; looking at what survival advantanges such an adaptation may allow. Sight is no longer necessary to this example fish, so the evolutionary process has no reason to preserve it - fish born without sight would be at no-specific disadvantage compared to their sighted counterparts. However, the blind fish now has a slight better chance of survival and reproduction compared to its sighted colleagues, which waste energy on this very unnecessary function. The blind fish has become better adapted to it's present surroundings - it has not "devolved". Similarly, those citing humanity's loss of agility, sight, or overall fitness when compared to ancestors don't take into account the increased mental capabilities (shown by average global IQ increase over time, for instance) as time goes on, which allows for increases in technology and medicine that prolong life and survivability better than standard physical capabilities would.
The term was popularized by the band Devo (the name itself is a reference to de-evolution) in their song "Jocko Homo." The singer repeatedly asks "Are we not men?" to which the others reply "We are devo!"
[edit] Cretinism (sic)
In creationist circles, "de-evolution" is the strange concept that all "microevolution" is the corruption of the perfect creation, after the sin of Adam brought about mankind's fall from grace.
[edit] See also
