The Relationship Between Social and Biotic Evolution The Evolution of Autopoietic Systems

摘要

The theory of autopoiesis claims that adaptation should be understood as a precondition, and not as a constraint, guiding the evolution of social and living systems. This premise is at first sight incompatible with the perspective of the neo-Darwinian theory of evolution. In the case of speciation (phylogenesis) the varying adaptation to the environment is here, in fact, understood as a determinant factor arranging how organisms are selected. Nevertheless, the present study tests out a perspective on evolutionary biology, which is compatible with the implications of the theory of autopoiesis and can demonstrate a productive explanatory potential for evolutionary biology. In this way, it is possible to demonstrate an approach to solving the problems being intensively discussed in (neo-Darwinian) evolutionary biology. Namely, the problems of the units to be selected in evolution, or of rendering the meaning and function of the evolutionary development of sexuality comprehensible, or of relativizing the problem of altruism in evolution. Also, explanations for the so-called Cambrian Explosion and the fundamental difference between the evolution of prokaryotic and eukaryotic forms of life can be derived. And finally, the perspective so developed permits us to determine the relation of biotic and social evolution in a differentiated manner.