Answer:
In biology, adaptationism is the perspective that considers that the majority of traits are optimal adaptations achieved by natural selection.
Explanation:
Among his most famous defenders are John Maynard Smith, W.D. Hamilton, Richard Dawkins and Daniel Dennett. Adaptationism has been criticized by authors such as Stephen Jay Gould and Richard Lewontin.
Stephen J. Gould summarizes the "adaptationist program" in the following arguments:
- Adaptation is the central phenomenon of evolution, and the key to understanding its mechanisms.
- Natural selection builds adaptation.
- Natural selection maintains an overwhelmingly predominant relative frequency as a cause of adaptation. Variation only provides raw material and cannot do the job without help.
<u>Characteristics of adaptationism
</u>
Gould and Lewontin (1979) summarize the following way of proceeding from the adaptationist program:
- Atomization of the organism: division of the organism into discrete and disconnected features.
- Optimization of the parts by natural selection.
- Explanation of the adaptations.
