Re: john disects your message!:mutations and reproduction

Steve Clark (ssclark@facstaff.wisc.edu)
Sat, 21 Jun 1997 12:04:04 -0500

Jim claims that natural selection is a circular argument, using the
following logic:

>Evolution predicts that the fittest organisms will
>produce the most offspring. What are the fittest organisms? The ones that
>produce the most offspring! That's classic tautology.

This also describes artificial selection, which is undisputably true. A
tautology, even if true, does not mean that the argument is untrue.
_________________________________________________________
Steven S. Clark, Ph.D . Phone: 608/263-9137
Associate Professor FAX: 608/263-4226
Dept. of Human Oncology and Email: ssclark@facstaff.wisc.edu
UW Comprehensive Cancer Center
CSC K4-432
600 Highland Ave.
Madison, WI 53792

"It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings to
search out a matter." Proverbs
________________________________________________________