Traversing the First Side of the Triangle
Neo-Darwinian Evolutionary Theory
As you learned yesterday, a useful method of coming to understand the operation and functionality of very complex biological systems is to separate the totality into component subsystems which seem rationally related. For example, the human body is first studied via its separate organ subsystems and their interactions with each other. Later, these subsystems can be rejoined so to see how they function as a survival team.
The reason one starts first with the simplest of systems is because the simplest systems are the easiest to dissect as to composition, function, and information exchange with the local environs. One cannot understand the organizational and functional details of a multicellular sponge until one has some appreciation for the natural physical and biological laws controlling each and every single cell. Clearly, in the physical sciences, including biology, we must proceed from the simple to the more complex, from the bottom to the top. One cannot understand quantal energy or matter without understanding the true nature of space and its relationship to reciprocal time or frequency. Protons were once thought to be fundamental baryons; though later were discovered to consist of a triad of more ‘fundamental’ quarks. The CNS was once thought to be a syncytium rather than a hierarchal arrangement of separate neurons and glial cells (which interestingly enough was first suggested by Emanuel Swedenborg in the 17th century).
Before we proceed any further, I most respectfully request that each person put his or her current beliefs, hopes, biases–including, the mystical on hold. This is not to diminish the importance or truth of such, but to avoid unnecessary argument and resistance at the beginning. We shall return to the mystery of mysticism later in the series?
So let me tell you what an ‘emergent evolutionary physicalist’ is. Starting at the bottom, we define the term ‘physicalism.’ Physicalism teaches that the physical universe is the arena in which all observable phenomena are embodied and operate. Moreover, all bodies present within the universe, including, our own brains–are 100% physical, as to origin and function. None have succeeded in disproving such tenets. There are no exceptions to this rule. For the soul and the mind both need the body to function and for experience.
Subsequently, in our time together, I will discuss consciousness, feelings, emotive states, and emotions from evolutionary and phylogenetic perspective, from cells to humans. By the end, you will see that all of these states can be grouped in a hierarchy of increasing information processing capacity using only a few levels.
When I use the word ‘evolution’ or the phrase ‘evolutionary processes,’ I am referring to modern versions of Darwin’s 19th century theory as to the temporal origin of new species via parental descent with ongoing beneficial modification within the genomic expression of offspring. I restrict the word ‘mutation’ to those cases of an environmental insult to the genome of simple creatures and which are detrimental to survival and reproduction. The major biochemical factors important in mammal, primates, and human are [1] random single nucleotide substitutions (SNS) within proportions of a strand of DNA and [2] recombination errors during gamete mitosis and segregation of chromosomes during meiosis.
Even though, it is true that a particular single nucleotide substitution in one gene on one chromosome proves advantageous for a challenge to survival and reproduction; the potential benefits accruing later may far outweigh the original adaptation. Often, genetic modifications prove useful when new and subsidiary conditions arise. Stephen Gould called such evolutionarily beneficial adoptions ‘exaptations.’ He defined an exaptation as a morphological or physiological adaptation to a particular environmental challenge which later proves beneficial in a different situation.
The evolutionary processes do not act upon the species as a whole; instead, these processes act upon individual members of a population of the species. Evolutionary processes become important when a particular population group is environmentally challenged such that some members are better able to survive the challenge as a change within the genome has better prepared them. And those who survive reproduce similar offspring. Herbert Spencer was incorrect when he coined the phrase, ‘survival of the fittest.’ Rather, one should say, ‘lost of the most unfit.’
As a useful sideline, the ‘mean time for survival’ of any existing species in only a few million years. The definition of species typically employed by scientists is a group which can interbreed and produce fertile offspring.
One truly interesting observation of the final emergenicity hierarchy is the finding that the higher levels seem to emerge automatically out of the simpler. In fact, the new and emerging level is generally not predictable based upon the observable information in the one just below. For instance, how does self-awareness emerge from a physical brain after it reaches a certain volume and connectivity? How does wetness arise out of one atom of oxygen combining with two atoms of hydrogen below 100 0C.
So to summarize, the most amazing events seem to miraculously appear in the world over long time spans as life moves from the most simple and onto the more information-dense complex. For instance, in the world of creatures the earliest forms of life were the anuclear, single cell protozoa.
With time, certain protists combined so to form eukaryotes–cells having an actual membrane bound nucleus and energy producing mitochondria or chloroplasts. Certain eukaryotes came together and developed into multicellular creatures as sponges. The small multicellular creatures had access to air, water, and nutrients via diffusion from the environment. As they grew larger, it became more and more difficult for the innermost cells to be nourished and excrete waste products. With time, some of these creatures evolved so to produce certain cells which could physically connect the outer world and the creatures’ inner world. It is likely that such connecting cells had active transport systems for moving chemicals to and fro. I imagine that such cells are the original parents of the neuron.
The evolutionary emergence of neurons is undoubtedly one of the great wonders of life upon our Earth as far as developing creatures more complicated than sponges. For neurons allowed development of a means for rapid reception of sensory data and appropriate motor output.
Based upon the evidence discussed today, the physical and biological universe evolved from simpler creatures to more complicated ones under the laws of nature, physics, and biology. Nothing additional is required! Some may find this depressing, but, I find it one of the greatest miracles shown to mankind.
Appreciating the emergence of the human brain from nature, we complete our first leg of the triangle and travel onward to the second leg.