Adaptationism
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Part of speech noun
Quick meaning: Adaptationism is a noun meaning (evolutionary theory) The view that many traits of organisms are evolved adaptations.
Meaning
(evolutionary theory) The view that many traits of organisms are evolved adaptations.
More Meanings
- (evolutionary theory) A set of methods for distinguishing traits resulting from adaptation from those arising through other processes.
- (derogatory, evolutionary theory) The belief that all traits are adaptations brought about by natural selection, when some are only functionless by-products (also called "spandrels").
Example Sentences
Until one is clear about just what one means by adaptationism, what evidence one needs to accuse someone of being an "adaptationist" will remain vague; this rather diminishes the force of the accusation.
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include adaptionism, adaptation, coevolution, bioadaptation, evolutionism, hyperadaptation.
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Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
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