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Loading... Evolution in Four Dimensions: Genetic, Epigenetic, Behavioral, and Symbolic Variation in the History of Life304 | 1 | 87,101 |
(4.08) | 6 | A pioneering proposal for a pluralistic extension of evolutionary theory, now updated to reflect the most recent research. This new edition of the widely read Evolution in Four Dimensions has been revised to reflect the spate of new discoveries in biology since the book was first published in 2005, offering corrections, an updated bibliography, and a substantial new chapter. Eva Jablonka and Marion Lamb's pioneering argument proposes that there is more to heredity than genes. They describe four "dimensions" in heredity--four inheritance systems that play a role in evolution: genetic, epigenetic (or non-DNA cellular transmission of traits), behavioral, and symbolic (transmission through language and other forms of symbolic communication). These systems, they argue, can all provide variations on which natural selection can act. Jablonka and Lamb present a richer, more complex view of evolution than that offered by the gene-based Modern Synthesis, arguing that induced and acquired changes also play a role. Their lucid and accessible text is accompanied by artist-physician Anna Zeligowski's lively drawings, which humorously and effectively illustrate the authors' points. Each chapter ends with a dialogue in which the authors refine their arguments against the vigorous skepticism of the fictional "I.M." (for Ipcha Mistabra--Aramaic for "the opposite conjecture"). The extensive new chapter, presented engagingly as a dialogue with I.M., updates the information on each of the four dimensions--with special attention to the epigenetic, where there has been an explosion of new research. Praise for the first edition"With courage and verve, and in a style accessible to general readers, Jablonka and Lamb lay out some of the exciting new pathways of Darwinian evolution that have been uncovered by contemporary research."--Evelyn Fox Keller, MIT, author of Making Sense of Life: Explaining Biological Development with Models, Metaphors, and Machines"In their beautifully written and impressively argued new book, Jablonka and Lamb show that the evidence from more than fifty years of molecular, behavioral and linguistic studies forces us to reevaluate our inherited understanding of evolution."--Oren Harman, The New Republic"It is not only an enjoyable read, replete with ideas and facts of interest but it does the most valuable thing a book can do--it makes you think and reexamine your premises and long-held conclusions."--Adam Wilkins, BioEssays… (more) |
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To our genetic, epigenetic, and cultural parents and offspring | |
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...Our basic claim is that biological thinking about heredity and evolution is undergoing a revolutionary chang. What is emerging is a new synthesis, which challenges the gene-centerd version of neo-Darwinism that has dominated biological thought for the last fifty years. | |
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We expect that as they do so, nongenetic inheritancewill be incorporated more fullyinto evolutionry studies. We hope that our book will encouragemore people to take this path. For as Lu Hsun, the great Chinese writer, said, "when many men pass one way, the road is made." (p.383) (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.) | |
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▾References References to this work on external resources. Wikipedia in English (3)▾Book descriptions A pioneering proposal for a pluralistic extension of evolutionary theory, now updated to reflect the most recent research. This new edition of the widely read Evolution in Four Dimensions has been revised to reflect the spate of new discoveries in biology since the book was first published in 2005, offering corrections, an updated bibliography, and a substantial new chapter. Eva Jablonka and Marion Lamb's pioneering argument proposes that there is more to heredity than genes. They describe four "dimensions" in heredity--four inheritance systems that play a role in evolution: genetic, epigenetic (or non-DNA cellular transmission of traits), behavioral, and symbolic (transmission through language and other forms of symbolic communication). These systems, they argue, can all provide variations on which natural selection can act. Jablonka and Lamb present a richer, more complex view of evolution than that offered by the gene-based Modern Synthesis, arguing that induced and acquired changes also play a role. Their lucid and accessible text is accompanied by artist-physician Anna Zeligowski's lively drawings, which humorously and effectively illustrate the authors' points. Each chapter ends with a dialogue in which the authors refine their arguments against the vigorous skepticism of the fictional "I.M." (for Ipcha Mistabra--Aramaic for "the opposite conjecture"). The extensive new chapter, presented engagingly as a dialogue with I.M., updates the information on each of the four dimensions--with special attention to the epigenetic, where there has been an explosion of new research. Praise for the first edition"With courage and verve, and in a style accessible to general readers, Jablonka and Lamb lay out some of the exciting new pathways of Darwinian evolution that have been uncovered by contemporary research."--Evelyn Fox Keller, MIT, author of Making Sense of Life: Explaining Biological Development with Models, Metaphors, and Machines"In their beautifully written and impressively argued new book, Jablonka and Lamb show that the evidence from more than fifty years of molecular, behavioral and linguistic studies forces us to reevaluate our inherited understanding of evolution."--Oren Harman, The New Republic"It is not only an enjoyable read, replete with ideas and facts of interest but it does the most valuable thing a book can do--it makes you think and reexamine your premises and long-held conclusions."--Adam Wilkins, BioEssays ▾Library descriptions No library descriptions found. ▾LibraryThing members' description
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Most living things, probably including all multicellular living things have (1) DNA (genes) and (2) Epigenetic controls (systems controlling the activity and timing of gene activity.
Most animals with developed neuro-sensory systems have (3) mechanisms for the memory and behavioral transmission of "cultural" inheritance.
Humans have evolved the capability to record and transmit heritage via (4) symbolic means, i.e., language, writing, printing and electronic means.
It is to the authors' credit that they have put these ideas together in a single framework. Unfortunately, they have done this in a very quirky and idosyncratic style that I personally found to be very offputting. The uniquely quirky illustrations contribute little. I would have much preferred standard explanitory diagrams and illustrations. Drawing "cute" faces on what are supposed to be chromosomes is at best childishly irritating (almost every object illustrated is drawn with a face or otherwise anthropomorphised!).
The other quirky aspect detracting from the exposition is the dialog concluding each chapter between M.E. (Marion and Eva) and the devil's advocate, I.M. (Ifcha Mistabra - Aramaic for "the opposite conjecture" - Talmudic argument). It was a brave stylistic decision to take this approach, but I think Talmudic dialog is quite inappropriate for a work that integrates scientific ideas that are all fairly well accepted when taken individually. It would have been much better to deal with each of the issues and questions in a factual expository style in the one place. ( )