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Updated: Oct 5, 2025
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Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations
Published on: February 3, 2023
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A systems theory of biological evolution.
1Institute for the Study of Complex Systems, 900 University Street, #D-X Seattle, WA, USA.
Bio Systems
|February 1, 2022
Summary
Biological evolution is a dynamic survival enterprise of living systems, not just genes. It involves competition, cooperation, and adaptation, driven by energy and synergistic selection.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary Biology
- Systems Biology
- Biophysics
Background:
- The Modern Synthesis emphasizes gene-centric evolution.
- Life's core properties include persistence, inheritance, and adaptation.
- Living systems possess evolved purposefulness (teleonomy) and control information.
Purpose of the Study:
- To reframe biological evolution as a history of living systems.
- To highlight the dualistic nature of evolution, encompassing both competition and cooperation.
- To integrate concepts of energy, synergy, and selection into evolutionary theory.
Main Methods:
- Conceptual analysis of evolutionary processes.
- Integration of systems biology principles.
- Examination of life's defining characteristics.
Main Results:
- Evolution is primarily a history of living systems, not individual genes.
- Living systems exhibit teleonomy and control information.
- Functional synergy and Synergistic Selection are key evolutionary drivers.
- Evolution is a dualistic process of competition and cooperation.
Conclusions:
- Biological evolution is a contingent, dynamic survival enterprise.
- Cooperation and synergy play crucial roles alongside competition.
- A systems-level perspective is essential for understanding evolution.
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