Is evolution random?

Question

A random collision of particles
or
A selection process

or whatever you would like to rant about, of course.

Answer 1

The process which drives evolution, which is random mutations, is by definition random. Those mutations that enable a species to survive and prosper are driven by outside factors such as the environment and other life (predators, available prey) and thus are not random.

Answer 2

It is a common misconception that evolution is random, purely chance. People are genuinely swayed to this belief by the fact that a part of evolution is random mutation, but this is only a small part of evolution. The far more important factor that gives credence to evolution is natural selection and this is certainly not random. So although, yes, random mutation does exist and can improve the genes' chance of survival by the more advantageous characteristics they bestow. It does not have an effect on the general survival of particular genes that are more beneficial to an animal. In fact, mutation does not even need to be random for evolution to work as a theory, but it does require natural selection: a non-random theory itself.

Answer 3

You have to be careful when speaking of randomness. As George H. Smith pointed out, "random" is a concept we use when we don't have enough information available about the processes involved in causing an event. "Random" does not refer to anything in the real world, at least not on the macroscopic scale. For instance, we typically say that the outcome of a coin toss is random: there's a 50/50 chance that it'll land on heads. But if we were to measure the velocity of the coin toss, the height of the flip, the air resistance, and so on, we'd be able to predict with perfect accuracy whether it would land on heads or tails. There is no "randomness" involved here. We just say that the outcome is random because we don't ordinarily have enough information to predict what will happen. And in the same way, the forces of evolution are not random, even so-called "random" mutations. It's just more convenient to refer to them as random because it's difficult to predict when and what mutations will occur.

Answer 4

Evolution is a stochastic process, meaning that it involves random proceses, but it does not mean that results are random. For example, gaming casinos are inherently stochastic enterprises, being almost totally dependent on random events, and yet the profits are statistically ensured. As another example, our bodies invovle random processes, such as how molecules and matter mix in our blood or even in our breaths, but notheless we function as fairly reliable organisms. The key concept in the theory of evolution is one of emergence of complexity through feedback (natural selection), even though random processes are involved. Many studies on self-organized complexity assume such random processes, but it is the way things interact that can create interesting and evolving complexity. Many people fall back on a simple model of disorder, which is where everything just bounces around like balls in a Pachinko game, and they don't see any "order" about it. What they fail to see is that even in that naive model of disorder, a lot of mathematical statements can be said about it, showing patterns that are far from "random", such as Maxwell's distribution of energies or Gaussian distribution of outcomes. With slightly more complicated systems than just inert balls bouncing around, these underlying orders can interact to create greater complexity, as what happens if you include something as simple as gravitation at the same time random balls flying around are supposed to be expanding. The complexity of the universe partially reflects this tug-of-war between contraction and expansion. When you introduce elements of a great variety of properties and allow atomic and molecular interactions, and when you introduce DNA with coding, the complexity that can spontaneously arise from this can be mind-boggling. And it has been.

Answer 5

Depends on whether or not you believe in destiny. If you do, nothing is random. If you do not, than it can go either way. You can claim it is not random in the fact that evolution is based on certain principles, and that it requires certain environments and such. Such as you won't get a amoeba to evolve into a fish on top of a mountain. But then again, there are so many variables in evolution it can be considered random due, and no real possible way of having a 100% certain chance of what the outcome of an evolving species will be in 1000 years or so.

Answer 6

from a scientific point of view, everything is random. going back to the creation of the universe, we believe that random collisions from 11th dimensional membranes caused the formation of our universe and an inifinite number of others, each one with a random ammount of mater and energy. if this is true, then the formation of life, and therefore the evolution of life is random since evolution is based on the ability of life to change to better fit its surroundings, and all of life's surroundings are random.

Answer 7

Mutations are random. Natural selection favors order.

Answer 8

hahaha:)
great question:) - I won't stick to the litarally meaning of this one, but I would say that very often some people go around the evolution process as if scared of becoming something more than they already are, and stick to the common "development"= degradation in order to fit their "crew".
So, no, evolution is not random- you can choose whether u'd be its "victim" or whether u'd avoid it ignorantly.

We are our own creators and we define our own progression, so I will say- we are evolving according to our own needs and demands.

Answer 9

Evolution is a process which selects the best options from radom mutations.

Answer 10

Absolutely random. Natural selection works only if the "inferior" organism dies before it can reproduce. If it reproduces before it dies, then the gene pool still contains the "inferior/weak" genes.