The Modern Synthesis

The extended evolutionary synthesis: An integrated historical and philosophical examination

“…We, too, want an extended evolutionary synthesis, but for us, these words are lowercase’ (Wray et al., 2014, p. 164). Moreover, some advocates of the MS hold a stronger position: the EES ‘does not deliver theoretical change nor even an extension to the phenomena encompassed by the Modern Synthesis’ (Dickins, 2021, p. 231).…”

“…Craig, 2010; Jablonka & Lamb, 2008; Müller, 2017; Noble, 2017; Reis and Araújo, 2020) argue that the EES is radically different from (or incommensurable with) the MS and the former will replace the latter eventually (see Figure 1), while supporters of the strong MS (Futuyma, 2017; e.g. Dickins, 2021) insist that the MS well accommodates everything introduced by the EES and the basic structure of the MS does not require any changes (see Figure 2). For proponents of the moderate EES (e.g.…”

“…Dickins, 2021; Dickins & Rahman, 2012; Futuyma, 2017; Lynch, 2007; Minelli, 2010; Noble, 2017; Wray et al., 2014) maintain that the Modern Synthesis remains the foundational framework for evolutionary biology. It has been widely debated whether the Extended Evolutionary Synthesis provides a more promising framework than the Modern Synthesis (e.g., Dickins, 2021; Futuyma, 2017; Laland et al., 2015; Müller, 2017). The nature and methodological implications of the Extended Evolutionary Synthesis were also examined (e.g., Gefaell & Saborido, 2022; Reis and Araújo, 2020).…”

“…Jablonka & Lamb, 2005; Koonin, 2012; Laubichler, 2010; Odling‐Smee et al., 2003; Oyama, Griffiths, and Gray, 2001; West‐Eberhard, 2003) argue that our current evolutionary biology is in need of (at least) some substantial revision or nontrivial extension, while others (e.g. Dickins, 2021; Dickins & Rahman, 2012; Futuyma, 2017; Lynch, 2007; Minelli, 2010; Noble, 2017; Wray et al., 2014) maintain that the Modern Synthesis remains the foundational framework for evolutionary biology. It has been widely debated whether the Extended Evolutionary Synthesis provides a more promising framework than the Modern Synthesis (e.g., Dickins, 2021; Futuyma, 2017; Laland et al., 2015; Müller, 2017).…”