Critical Theory of Evolution

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As a critical theory of evolution called Wolfgang Gutmann (1935-1997) from the Senckenberg Research Institute on the basis of (partly real, partly hypothetical) hydrostatic skeleton theory one of his vested biophilosophisch oriented theory building. It was discussed especially in the 1980s and 1990s among researchers von Senckenberg and some scientists connected with them in terms of content and concept.

Starting point and destination

Gutmann & Bonik tried to counteract the approaches , which they saw in the evolutionary biology of the 1970s, still dominated by inductivist research programs, with a hypothetical deductivism founded by Karl Popper and to justify a different way of thinking in biology. The term "critical evolutionary theory" was intended to express that the methods and considerations used for reconstruction of evolutionary history should be subjected to constant critical review. Theoretical considerations are the essential starting point for scientific work in evolutionary biology. The visualization and detailed description of animals or plants on the basis of their characteristics and by means of the homologation method is not sufficient to understand the evolutionary process and to reconstruct it in its course.

The further development

In the following years the theory was further developed together with other scientists, including Klaus-Peter Vogel . The collaboration with the architect Frei Otto also provided impulses . Gutmann himself continued to work on reconstruction of evolutionary history and the expansion of theory until his death.

In the rest of science, especially from the evolutionary side, the theory was not taken up and hardly discussed.

literature

  • Weingarten, M. 1993. Organisms - Objects or Subjects of Evolution: Philosophical Studies on the Paradigm Shift in Evolutionary Biology. Darmstadt (Scientific Book Society).

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. Gutmann, WF 1972. The hydroskeleton theory. - Essays and speeches by the Senckenberg Natural Research Society 21: 1-91
  2. Gutmann, WF, Bonik, K. (1981): Critical Evolution Theory - A Contribution to Overcoming Old Darwinian Dogmas. 227 p., Hildesheim (Gerstenberg)
  3. Gutmann, WF 1989. The evolution of hydraulic construction - organismic change instead of old Darwinian adaptation. - 201 p., Frankfurt am Main (Kramer).
  4. Gudo, M. (2002): The development of the critical theory of evolution: The scientific career of Wolfgang F. Gutmann. - Theory of Biosciences, 121 (1): 101-137.