Evolution in Four Dimensions: Genetic, Epigenetic, Behavioral, and Symbolic Variation in the History of Life (Life and Mind: Philosophical Issues in Biology and Psychology)

Publisher: A Bradford Book; revised edition edition (March 28, 2014), 576 pages. Eva Jablonka and Marion Lamb's pioneering argument proposes that there is more to heredity than genes. They describe four "dimensions" in heredity - four inheritance systems that play a role in evolution: genetic, epigenetic (or non-DNA cellular transmission of traits), behavioral, and symbolic (transmission through language and other forms of symbolic communication). These systems, they argue, can all provide variations on which natural selection can act. Jablonka and Lamb present a richer, more complex view of evolution than that offered by the gene-based Modern Synthesis, arguing that induced and acquired changes also play a role. Their lucid and accessible text is accompanied by artist-physician Anna Zeligowski's lively drawings, which humorously and effectively illustrate the authors' points. Contents The First Dimension The Transformations of Darwinism From Genes to Characters Genetic Variation: Blind, Directed, Interpretive? Three More Dimensions The Epigenetic Inheritance Systems The Behavioral Inheritance Systems The Symbolic Inheritance System Between the Acts: An Interim Summary Putting Humpty Dumpty Together Again Interacting Dimensions—Genes and Epigenetic Systems Genes and Behavior, Genes and Language Lamarckism Evolving: The Evolution of the Educated Guess A Last Dialogue Ideas about heredity and evolution are undergoing a revolutionary change. New findings in molecular biology challenge the gene-centered version of Darwinian theory according to which adaptation occurs only through natural selection of chance DNA variations. In Evolution in Four Dimensions, Eva Jablonka and Marion Lamb argue that there is more to heredity than genes. They trace four'dimensions'in evolution -- four inheritance systems that play a role in evolution: genetic, epigenetic (or non-DNA cellular transmission of traits), behavioral, and symbolic (transmission through language and other forms of symbolic communication). These systems, they argue, can all provide variations on which natural selection can act. Evolution in Four Dimensions offers a richer, more complex view of evolution than the gene-based, one-dimensional view held by many today. The new synthesis advanced by Jablonka and Lamb makes clear that induced and acquired changes also play a role in evolution. After discussing each of the four inheritance systems in detail, Jablonka and Lamb'put Humpty Dumpty together again'by showing how all of these systems interact. They consider how each may have originated and guided evolutionary history and they discuss the social and philosophical implications of the four-dimensional view of evolution. Each chapter ends with a dialogue in which the authors engage the contrarieties of the fictional (and skeptical)'I.M.,'or Ifcha Mistabra -- Aramaic for'the opposite conjecture'-- refining their arguments against I.M.'s vigorous counterarguments. The lucid and accessible text is accompanied by artist-physician Anna Zeligowski's lively drawings, which humorously and effectively illustrate the authors'points. In Evolution In Four Dimensions Eva Jablonka And Marion Lamb Argue That There Is More To Heredity Than Genes. They Trace Four Dimensions In Evolution - Four Inheritance Systems That Play A Role In Evolution: Genetic, Epigenetic (or Non-dna Cellular Transmission Of Traits), Behavioral, And Symbolic (transmission Through Language And Other Forms Of Symbolic Communication). These Systems, They Argue, Can All Provide Variations On Which Natural Selection Can Act. Evolution In Four Dimensions Offers A Richer, More Complex View Of Evolution Than The Gene-based, One-dimensional View Held By Many Today. The New Synthesis Advanced By Jablonka And Lamb Makes Clear That Induced And Acquired Changes Also Play A Role In Evolution. After Discussing Each Of The Four Inheritance Systems In Detail, Jablonka And Lamb Put Humpty Dumpty Together Again By Showing How All Of These Systems Interact.--jacket. The Transformation Of Darwinism -- From Genes To Characters -- Genetic Variation: Blind, Directed, Interpretive? -- The Epigenetic Inheritance Systems -- The Behavioral Inheritance Systems -- The Symbolic Inheritance System -- Interacting Dimensions, Genes And Epigenetic Systems -- Genes And Behavior, Genes And Language -- Lamarckism Evolving: The Evolution Of The Educated Genes -- A Last Dialogue. Eva Jablonka And Marion J. Lamb With Illustrations By Anna Zeligowski. A Bradford Book. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [417]-446). The content and format of this book are a little unusual, so we want to begin by explaining what it is about and how it is organized.