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Wallace and DarwinLetter by Pete Wearden, March 2009 In an excellent article on the development of the theory of natural selection and its social and political context, it was very welcome to see Alfred Russel Wallace given his due place (Socialist Review, February 2009). John Parrington points to the key area of dispute: human evolution. Darwin begins The Descent of Man by saying that "races or species of men…replace one another, so that some finally become extinct". John correctly suggests that this is a dangerous concession to the imperialism, and sometimes genocide, of the late 19th century. In reaction to this, Wallace points out that human ability in music, mathematics, and so on, is far too great to be explained by natural selection. Darwin opens the door to biological reductionism and socio-biology. Wallace does so to idealism and spiritualism.
This relationship between natural and cultural processes is not resolved by either of them, nor by Engels. Indeed John's suggestion of "a process of positive feedback" also fails the test.
Conscious processes arise out of capacities evolved by natural selection. However, the dynamic of conscious cultural determination is not the same as natural selection. For most species, natural selection is the only relevant process. For some of our close ancestors (and possibly a few other species) cultural elements can be observed but are secondary to natural selection. For us, cultural processes came to dominate around 60,000 years ago. We now build neonatal units and welfare systems with the precise intention of overcoming natural selection. That is real progress and a debt to the best of both Darwin and Wallace.
Pete Wearden Comments? Email letters@socialistreview.org.uk Contents | Donate Access to this website is free - help us keep it that way. Please make a donation. |
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