Evolution by Meaning Attribution: Notes on Biosemiotic Interpretations of Extended Evolutionary Synthesis

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F00216208%3A11310%2F18%3A10383463" target="_blank" >RIV/00216208:11310/18:10383463 - isvavai.cz</a>

Result on the web

<a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs12304-018-9328-9" target="_blank" >https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs12304-018-9328-9</a>

DOI - Digital Object Identifier

<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12304-018-9328-9" target="_blank" >10.1007/s12304-018-9328-9</a>

Result language

angličtina

Original language name

Evolution by Meaning Attribution: Notes on Biosemiotic Interpretations of Extended Evolutionary Synthesis

Original language description

The aim of this contribution is to investigate certain selected parts of the extended evolutionary synthesis which all have a common denominator, namely evolution by meaning attribution. We start by arguing that living organisms can manipulate and interpret their genetic script via epigenetic modifications in a semiotic manner, that is, by meaning attribution. Genes do not build living beings to be transmitted to future generations. Genes have been shaped by evolution as a memory medium that is transmitted from one generation to the next, but the actual reading of such scripts is modified by momentary contexts. Secondly, we show that phenotypic evolution variously re-uses already existing homologies which in evolving systems acquire a new meaning. We also suggest that the ways in which organisms perceive their environment and other living beings is an important but still largely neglected evolutionary force. Variations in perception influence the direction and intensity of sexual selection and some behaviourally mediated regimes of natural selection. Thirdly, we point out that especially if we want to study their evolution, living beings should not be considered in isolation but in their mutual coexistence, in their historically established being together. Recent attempts to view living beings as constructors of niches and holobionts seem compatible with the classical Umwelt theory. This approach seems capable of accounting for both competitiveness and cooperation, thus making the overall image of evolution more comprehensive. And finally, we argue that if we want to expand our understanding of biological evolution, in addition to variation, selection, and inheritance we also need to take into account processes which participate in meaning attribution

Czech name

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Czech description

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Type

J_imp - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database

CEP classification

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OECD FORD branch

10602 - Biology (theoretical, mathematical, thermal, cryobiology, biological rhythm), Evolutionary biology

Project

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Continuities

I - Institucionalni podpora na dlouhodoby koncepcni rozvoj vyzkumne organizace

Publication year

2018

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů

Name of the periodical

Biosemiotics

ISSN

1875-1342

e-ISSN

—

Volume of the periodical

11

Issue of the periodical within the volume

2

Country of publishing house

NL - THE KINGDOM OF THE NETHERLANDS

Number of pages

14

Pages from-to

231-244

UT code for WoS article

000443449600004

EID of the result in the Scopus database

2-s2.0-85047374880