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Old 02-14-2005, 01:20 PM   #67 (permalink)
CSflim
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1010011010
ibis,
Your point seems to be to redefine evolution from a concrete physical process into an abstraction unrelated to the original concept except in name.
That's just it. Evolution is an abstract process. That is why we can use evolution to solve complex computational problems which are untractable by other methods - the solutions are 'evolved' so to speak.

Evolution will occur anytime you have a group of replicators and
1. (imperfect) Inherritance
2. Variation
3. Selection Pressure

Check out the theory of memes. Its a bit, um, 'hokey', but interesting none-the-less.

For a book which elaborates on the ideas of 'Universal Darwinism' I highly recommend Darwin's Dangerous Idea by Daniel Dennett.
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