Re: Punk eq vs gradualism

[Jeff Poling <jpoling@infinet.com>]

At 03:30 PM 1/23/96 -0500, Rob Meyerson wrote:
>Just a little musing on my part over semester break.
>
>One of the biggest debates in evolutionary theory deals with the appropriate=
> model for the evolutionary process.  The traditional view of gradualism=
> states that evolution is a constant process, while the new view of=
> punctuated equalibrium states that evolution occurs in short bursts.  The=
> big question focusing on which model is correct.

   Maybe those who have made evolution their life's work can elaborate
(briefly, natch) on the theories of evolution.

   ie What was Darwin's theory of evolution (wasn't it natural selection /
adaptation rather than an actual theory of evolution?)
   and I thought I read that the gradualist model was not proposed by Darwin
   and I thought I read that the gradualist model was challenged in favor of
a "punctuated" model in the 19th century as soon as the gradualist model was
proposed.

   This looks like a good topic for a "paper" on my web page....

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