Coming to terms with biological evolution: a critique of the terms and perspectives embedded in the definition and description of some of its fundamental concepts

摘要

The abstract concepts embodied in the theory of biological evolution are difficult for most people to comprehend since humans are not genetically endowed with the cognitive mechanisms to directly perceive biological evolutionary events and must deal with them in a culturally derived intellectual manner. This can lead to inaccurate, misapplied, and poorly conceived terms, and the inappropriate changing of meanings of established terms. More effort should be made by authors when coining new terms or applying existing terms. By not addressing these issues of terms and meanings, future research may go in unproductive directions, thus delaying attainment of a better understanding of the mechanisms of biological evolution.