The mega-evolution of life depends on sender-receiver communication and problem-solving

Area of Science:

• Evolutionary Biology
• Communication Sciences
• Systems Biology

Background:

• Classical evolutionary theory, rooted in Darwinian principles, primarily focused on speciation and natural selection.
• The advent of communication sciences introduced digital vocabulary, influencing various scientific disciplines.
• A 2014 re-evaluation questioned the adequacy of neo-Darwinism, prompting a need for updated evolutionary frameworks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a paradigm shift in understanding the evolution of life.
• To introduce a communication-based sender-receiver model as an alternative to the cell-centric view.
• To highlight the significance of communication in analyzing evolutionary processes.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual analysis and synthesis of existing theories in evolutionary biology and communication science.
• Development of a sender-receiver framework for analyzing life's evolution.
• Examination of communication as a problem-solving act inherent in message coding and decoding.

Main Results:

• A novel perspective on the evolution of life is presented, shifting from 'cell as basic unit' to 'sender-receiver' interactions.
• The communication-based approach offers a potent new framework for analyzing undervalued aspects of evolution.
• Communication is identified as a fundamental problem-solving mechanism in biological systems.

Conclusions:

• A paradigm shift to a communication-based model offers a more comprehensive understanding of life's evolution.
• This approach enriches evolutionary biology by integrating principles from communication sciences.
• Recognizing communication as a core problem-solving act is crucial for future evolutionary research.