Re: Wikipedia talk page on Natural Selection

In message <xn0gdxr603d35o5002@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>, Stephen <ssansom@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> writes
backspace wrote:

On Aug 15, 3:38 am, "David Hare-Scott" <sec...@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> backspace wrote:
> > http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Natural_selection#Darwin_defined
> > _na...
>
> > Below encapsulates what I have been saying concerning the term
> > "natural selection" which like "you have a green light" doesn't
> > have a single true meaning, but depends on multiple factors.
>
> Assuming for the point of argument that this is true what are the
> consequences?  What point is it that you are trying to make?
>
> David

A reader back in 1864 reading the 5th/6th edition of OoS interpreted
NS only in terms of the fossils, [...snip...]

(taking "NS" = "natural selection")

Already I think this is incorrect. Seems to me natural selection was
the explanatory framework for the differences in morphology of finches
(e.g., their beaks, among other features) Darwin observed in the
Galapagos Islands. Also seems to me those finches were living creatures
contemporaneous with Darwin ... So it would _not_ be the case that the
1864 reader of OoS would interpret the concept of NS "only in terms of
the fossils."

It would not be the case that the great majority of 1864 readers of OotS would interpret the concept of NS "only in terms of the fossils", but perhaps Backspace has found a particularly foolish reader.

Regards,
Stephen



--
alias Ernest Major

.

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