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It's adaptations all the way down

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 August 2003

M. D. Rutherford
Affiliation:
Psychology Department, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1 [email protected] www.science.mcmaster.ca/psychology/rutherford

Abstract

Although antiadaptationist authors encourage us to consider alternatives to adaptationist positions, the alternatives offered do not necessarily relieve us of the burdens of adaptationist explanations. Even if something is an exaptation, it may be derived from an adaptation. If it is a byproduct, it is a byproduct of an adaptation. Even the ELM, the hypothetical exapted learning mechanism, is an evolved learning mechanism, though used outside its natural domain.

Type
Brief Report
Copyright
© 2002 Cambridge University Press

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