tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4367190233877799632.post2066422730985833603..comments2024-02-27T09:51:03.152-08:00Comments on On Memetics: The minimum constraint on mutationTim Tylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06623536372084468307noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4367190233877799632.post-33737981731901573992015-01-24T13:42:14.105-08:002015-01-24T13:42:14.105-08:00Yes, I also understand Donald Campbell to be corre...Yes, I also understand Donald Campbell to be correct on this. Darwinian processes operate by making small improvements, due to small variations, on existing structures. It provides for a gradual accumulation of knowledge rather than large jumps in knowledge. <br /><br />A truly random genetic mutations would reshuffle the genome which would guarantee extinction in a single generation. Instead it is the limiting of mutations through error correction of the copied genome which ensures that any mutations will be severely limited in scope.<br /><br />The same is true with the Darwinian process of science; small variations are made on successful existing theories and are judged by the evidence. Each generation of scientist goes through a long process of training in which they must learn the most successful existing theories to a high degree of accuracy. It is only then that they are in a position to offer small variations.<br /><br />John CampbellJohnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09580368820280302343noreply@blogger.com