The peacock plumage is a classic example of the hypothesized Fisherian runaway.
In the preface, Fisher considers some general points, including that there must be an understanding of natural selection distinct from that of evolution, and that the then-recent advances in the field of genetics (see history of genetics) now allowed this. In the first chapter, Fisher considers the nature of inheritance, rejecting blending inheritance, because it would eliminate genetic variance, in favour of particulate inheritance. The second chapter introduces Fisher's fundamental theorem of natural selection. The third considers the evolution of dominance, which Fisher believed was strongly influenced by modifiers. Other chapters discuss parental investment, Fisher's geometric model, concerning how spontaneous mutations affect biological fitness, Fisher's principle which explains why the sex ratio between males and females is almost always 1:1, reproductive value, examining the demography of having girl children. Using his knowledge of statistics, the Fisherian runaway, which explores how sexual selection can lead to a positive feedback runaway loop, producing features such as the peacock'splumage. He also wrote about the evolution of dominance, which explores genetic dominance.
EugenicsEdit
The last five chapters (8-12) include Fisher's concern about dysgenics and proposals for eugenics. Fisher attributed the fall of civilizations to the fertility of their upper classes being diminished, and used British 1911 census data to show an inverse relationship between fertility and social class, partly due, he claimed, to the lower financial costs and hence increasing social status of families with fewer children. He proposed the abolition of extra allowances to large families, with the allowances proportional to the earnings of the father. He served in several official committees to promote eugenics. In 1934, he resigned from the Eugenics Society over a dispute about increasing the power of scientists within the movement.[6][7][8]
EditionsEdit
A second, slightly revised edition was republished in 1958. In 1999, a third variorum edition (ISBN0-19-850440-3), with the original 1930 text, annotated with the 1958 alterations, notes and alterations accidentally omitted from the second edition was published, edited by professor John Henry Bennett of the University of Adelaide.
DedicationEdit
The book is dedicated to Major Leonard Darwin, Fisher's friend, correspondent and son of Charles Darwin, "In gratitude for the encouragement, given to the author, during the last fifteen years, by discussing many of the problems dealt with in this book."
ReviewsEdit
The book was reviewed by Charles Galton Darwin, who sent Fisher his copy of the book, with notes in the margin, starting a correspondence which lasted several years.[9] The book also had a major influence on W. D. Hamilton's theories on the genetic basis of kin selection.
John Henry Bennett gave an account of the writing and reception of the book.[10]
Sewall Wright, who had many disagreements with Fisher, reviewed the book and wrote that it was "certain to take rank as one of the major contributions to the theory of evolution."[11]J. B. S. Haldane described it as "brilliant."[12]Reginald Punnett was negative, however.[13]
The book was largely overlooked for 40 years, and in particular Fisher's fundamental theorem of natural selection was misunderstood. The work had a great effect on W. D. Hamilton, who discovered it as an undergraduate at the University of Cambridge[14] and noted in these excerpts from the rear cover of the 1999 variorum edition:
This is a book which, as a student, I weighed as of equal importance to the entire rest of my undergraduate Cambridge BA course and, through the time I spent on it, I think it notched down my degree. Most chapters took me weeks, some months;...And little modified even by molecular genetics, Fisher's logic and ideas still underpin most of the ever broadening paths by which Darwinism continues its invasion of human thought.
For a book that I rate only second in importance in evolution theory to Darwin's "Origin" (this as joined with its supplement "of Man"), and also rate as undoubtedly one of the greatest books of the twentieth century the appearance of a variorum edition is a major event....
Unlike in 1958, natural selection has become part of the syllabus of our intellectual life and the topic is certainly included in every decent course in biology. By the time of my ultimate graduation, will I have understood all that is true in this book and will I get a First? I doubt it. In some ways some of us have overtaken Fisher; in many, however, this brilliant, daring man is still far in front.
^The Structure of Evolutionary Theory (2002) by Stephen Jay Gould, Chapter 7, section "Synthesis as Restriction" Gould quotes Fisher “The whole group of theories which ascribe to hypothetical physiological mechanisms, controlling the occurrence of mutations, a power of directing the course of evolution, must be set aside, once the blending theory of inheritance is abandoned. The sole surviving theory is that of Natural Selection” The Genetical Theory of Natural Selection (1930, p. 20)
^The Structure of Evolutionary Theory (2002) by Stephen Jay Gould, Chapter 7, section "Synthesis as Restriction" Gould further quotes Fisher “For mutations to dominate the trend of evolution it is thus necessary to postulate mutation rates immensely greater than those which are known to occur, and of an order of magnitude which, in general, would be incompatible with particulate inheritance” The Genetical Theory of Natural Selection (1930, p. 20)
^"Sir Ronald Aylmer Fisher". History of Statistics & Probability. Minneapolis, MN: University of Minnesota. Retrieved 2015-11-25.
^"Series 12. Sir Ronald Aylmer Fisher (1890–1962) Statistician and geneticist. Papers 1911–2005. Papers on Eugenics. 1911–1920, 1936". University of Adelaide. Retrieved 7 September 2017.
^Norton, Bernard (27 April 1978). "A 'fashionable fallacy' defended". New Scientist. Fisher worked as he did because he was an ardent eugenist. (original italics) ... Careful study of Fisher's writings, moreover, enables one to establish strong connections between the problems that Fisher faced qua eugenist and the work in genetics outlined above.
^Andrade da Cruz, Rodrigo (1980). "Ronald Fisher and eugenics: Statistics, evolution and genetics in the quest for permanent civilization". Circumscribere: International Journal for the History of Science. Pontifical Catholic University of São Paulo, Brazil (PhD Thesis). 19: 53. doi:10.23925/1980-7651.2017v19;p153.
^Cook, Laurence (March 2000). "The Genetical Theory of Natural Selection — A Complete Variorum Edition". Heredity (Book review). London: Nature Publishing Group. 84 (3): 390–391. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2540.2000.0713b.x. ISSN 0018-067X. PMC2762834.
^Charlesworth, Brian (2000). "The Genetical Theory of Natural Selection. A Complete Variorum Edition. By R. A. Fisher (edited with foreword and notes by J. H. Bennett). Oxford University Press. 1999. ISBN 0-19-850440-3. xxi+318 pages. Price £25.00". Genetical Research (Book review). Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. 75 (3): 369–373. doi:10.1017/s0016672300219228. ISSN 0016-6723.
^Crow, James F. (May 1, 2000). "Second only to Darwin: The Genetical Theory of Natural Selection. A Complete Variorum Edition by R.A. Fisher". Trends in Ecology & Evolution (Book review). Cambridge, MA: Cell Press. 15 (5): 213–214. doi:10.1016/S0169-5347(00)01842-5. ISSN 0169-5347.
BibliographyEdit
Bennett, J. H. (1983). Natural Selection, Heredity, and Eugenics: Including Selected Correspondence of R.A. Fisher with Leonard Darwin and Others. Oxford Science Publications. Oxford, UK; New York: Clarendon Press; Oxford University Press. ISBN0-19-858177-7. LCCN 83004165. OCLC 9393205.
Fisher, R. A. (1999). The Genetical Theory of Natural Selection. Edited with a foreword and notes by J. H. Bennett (A complete variorum ed.). Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. ISBN0-19-850440-3. LCCN 00702764. OCLC 45308589.
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The Genetical Theory Of Natural Selection
October 21, 2023
genetical, theory, natural, selection, book, ronald, fisher, which, combines, mendelian, genetics, with, charles, darwin, theory, natural, selection, with, fisher, being, first, argue, that, mendelism, therefore, validates, darwinism, stating, with, regard, mu. The Genetical Theory of Natural Selection is a book by Ronald Fisher which combines Mendelian genetics with Charles Darwin s theory of natural selection 1 with Fisher being the first to argue that Mendelism therefore validates Darwinism 2 and stating with regard to mutations that The vast majority of large mutations are deleterious small mutations are both far more frequent and more likely to be useful thus refuting orthogenesis 3 First published in 1930 by The Clarendon Press it is one of the most important books of the modern synthesis 4 and helped define population genetics It is commonly cited in biology books outlining many concepts that are still considered important such as Fisherian runaway Fisher s principle reproductive value Fisher s fundamental theorem of natural selection Fisher s geometric model the sexy son hypothesis mimicry and the evolution of dominance It was dictated to his wife in the evenings as he worked at Rothamsted Research in the day 5 The Genetical Theory of Natural SelectionFirst edition title pageAuthorRonald FisherCountryUnited KingdomLanguageEnglishSubjectEvolutionary biologyPublisherThe Clarendon PressPublication date1930OCLC18500548Dewey Decimal575 423LC ClassQH366 F5Preceded byStatistical Methods for Research Workers Followed byThe Design of Experiments Contents 1 Contents 1 1 Eugenics 2 Editions 3 Dedication 4 Reviews 5 References 6 Bibliography 7 External linksContents Edit nbsp The peacock plumage is a classic example of the hypothesized Fisherian runaway In the preface Fisher considers some general points including that there must be an understanding of natural selection distinct from that of evolution and that the then recent advances in the field of genetics see history of genetics now allowed this In the first chapter Fisher considers the nature of inheritance rejecting blending inheritance because it would eliminate genetic variance in favour of particulate inheritance The second chapter introduces Fisher s fundamental theorem of natural selection The third considers the evolution of dominance which Fisher believed was strongly influenced by modifiers Other chapters discuss parental investment Fisher s geometric model concerning how spontaneous mutations affect biological fitness Fisher s principle which explains why the sex ratio between males and females is almost always 1 1 reproductive value examining the demography of having girl children Using his knowledge of statistics the Fisherian runaway which explores how sexual selection can lead to a positive feedback runaway loop producing features such as the peacock s plumage He also wrote about the evolution of dominance which explores genetic dominance Eugenics Edit The last five chapters 8 12 include Fisher s concern about dysgenics and proposals for eugenics Fisher attributed the fall of civilizations to the fertility of their upper classes being diminished and used British 1911 census data to show an inverse relationship between fertility and social class partly due he claimed to the lower financial costs and hence increasing social status of families with fewer children He proposed the abolition of extra allowances to large families with the allowances proportional to the earnings of the father He served in several official committees to promote eugenics In 1934 he resigned from the Eugenics Society over a dispute about increasing the power of scientists within the movement 6 7 8 Editions EditA second slightly revised edition was republished in 1958 In 1999 a third variorum edition ISBN 0 19 850440 3 with the original 1930 text annotated with the 1958 alterations notes and alterations accidentally omitted from the second edition was published edited by professor John Henry Bennett of the University of Adelaide Dedication EditThe book is dedicated to Major Leonard Darwin Fisher s friend correspondent and son of Charles Darwin In gratitude for the encouragement given to the author during the last fifteen years by discussing many of the problems dealt with in this book Reviews EditThe book was reviewed by Charles Galton Darwin who sent Fisher his copy of the book with notes in the margin starting a correspondence which lasted several years 9 The book also had a major influence on W D Hamilton s theories on the genetic basis of kin selection John Henry Bennett gave an account of the writing and reception of the book 10 Sewall Wright who had many disagreements with Fisher reviewed the book and wrote that it was certain to take rank as one of the major contributions to the theory of evolution 11 J B S Haldane described it as brilliant 12 Reginald Punnett was negative however 13 The book was largely overlooked for 40 years and in particular Fisher s fundamental theorem of natural selection was misunderstood The work had a great effect on W D Hamilton who discovered it as an undergraduate at the University of Cambridge 14 and noted in these excerpts from the rear cover of the 1999 variorum edition This is a book which as a student I weighed as of equal importance to the entire rest of my undergraduate Cambridge BA course and through the time I spent on it I think it notched down my degree Most chapters took me weeks some months And little modified even by molecular genetics Fisher s logic and ideas still underpin most of the ever broadening paths by which Darwinism continues its invasion of human thought For a book that I rate only second in importance in evolution theory to Darwin s Origin this as joined with its supplement of Man and also rate as undoubtedly one of the greatest books of the twentieth century the appearance of a variorum edition is a major event Unlike in 1958 natural selection has become part of the syllabus of our intellectual life and the topic is certainly included in every decent course in biology By the time of my ultimate graduation will I have understood all that is true in this book and will I get a First I doubt it In some ways some of us have overtaken Fisher in many however this brilliant daring man is still far in front The publication of the variorum edition in 1999 led to renewed interest in the work and reviews by Laurence Cook 15 Brian Charlesworth 16 James F Crow 17 and A W F Edwards 1 References Edit a b Edwards A W F April 2000 The Genetical Theory of Natural Selection Genetics Bethesda MD Genetics Society of America 154 4 1419 1426 doi 10 1093 genetics 154 4 1419 ISSN 0016 6731 PMC 1461012 PMID 10747041 The Structure of Evolutionary Theory 2002 by Stephen Jay Gould Chapter 7 section Synthesis as Restriction Gould quotes Fisher The whole group of theories which ascribe to hypothetical physiological mechanisms controlling the occurrence of mutations a power of directing the course of evolution must be set aside once the blending theory of inheritance is abandoned The sole surviving theory is that of Natural Selection The Genetical Theory of Natural Selection 1930 p 20 The Structure of Evolutionary Theory 2002 by Stephen Jay Gould Chapter 7 section Synthesis as Restriction Gould further quotes Fisher For mutations to dominate the trend of evolution it is thus necessary to postulate mutation rates immensely greater than those which are known to occur and of an order of magnitude which in general would be incompatible with particulate inheritance The Genetical Theory of Natural Selection 1930 p 20 Grafen amp Ridley 2006 p 69 Sir Ronald Aylmer Fisher History of Statistics amp Probability Minneapolis MN University of Minnesota Retrieved 2015 11 25 Series 12 Sir Ronald Aylmer Fisher 1890 1962 Statistician and geneticist Papers 1911 2005 Papers on Eugenics 1911 1920 1936 University of Adelaide Retrieved 7 September 2017 Norton Bernard 27 April 1978 A fashionable fallacy defended New Scientist Fisher worked as he did because he was an ardent eugenist original italics Careful study of Fisher s writings moreover enables one to establish strong connections between the problems that Fisher faced qua eugenist and the work in genetics outlined above Andrade da Cruz Rodrigo 1980 Ronald Fisher and eugenics Statistics evolution and genetics in the quest for permanent civilization Circumscribere International Journal for the History of Science Pontifical Catholic University of Sao Paulo Brazil PhD Thesis 19 53 doi 10 23925 1980 7651 2017v19 p153 Fisher 1999 Appendix 2 Bennett 1983 Introduction Wright Sewall August 1930 The Genetical Theory of Natural Selection A Review Journal of Heredity Oxford UK Oxford University Press for the American Genetic Association 21 8 349 356 doi 10 1093 oxfordjournals jhered a103361 ISSN 0022 1503 Retrieved 2015 11 25 Haldane 1932 Punnett Reginald October 18 1930 The Genetical Theory of Natural Selection Nature Book review London Nature Publishing Group 126 3181 595 597 Bibcode 1930Natur 126 595P doi 10 1038 126595a0 ISSN 0028 0836 S2CID 4120195 Grafen Alan 2004 William Donald Hamilton PDF Biographical Memoirs of Fellows of the Royal Society London Royal Society 50 109 132 doi 10 1098 rsbm 2004 0009 ISSN 0080 4606 S2CID 56905497 Retrieved 2015 11 25 Cook Laurence March 2000 The Genetical Theory of Natural Selection A Complete Variorum Edition Heredity Book review London Nature Publishing Group 84 3 390 391 doi 10 1046 j 1365 2540 2000 0713b x ISSN 0018 067X PMC 2762834 Charlesworth Brian 2000 The Genetical Theory of Natural Selection A Complete Variorum Edition By R A Fisher edited with foreword and notes by J H Bennett Oxford University Press 1999 ISBN 0 19 850440 3 xxi 318 pages Price 25 00 Genetical Research Book review Cambridge UK Cambridge University Press 75 3 369 373 doi 10 1017 s0016672300219228 ISSN 0016 6723 Crow James F May 1 2000 Second only to Darwin The Genetical Theory of Natural Selection A Complete Variorum Edition by R A Fisher Trends in Ecology amp Evolution Book review Cambridge MA Cell Press 15 5 213 214 doi 10 1016 S0169 5347 00 01842 5 ISSN 0169 5347 Bibliography EditBennett J H 1983 Natural Selection Heredity and Eugenics Including Selected Correspondence of R A Fisher with Leonard Darwin and Others Oxford Science Publications Oxford UK New York Clarendon Press Oxford University Press ISBN 0 19 858177 7 LCCN 83004165 OCLC 9393205 Fisher R A 1999 The Genetical Theory of Natural Selection Edited with a foreword and notes by J H Bennett A complete variorum ed Oxford UK Oxford University Press ISBN 0 19 850440 3 LCCN 00702764 OCLC 45308589 Grafen Alan Ridley Mark eds 2006 Richard Dawkins How a Scientist Changed the Way We Think Oxford UK New York Oxford University Press ISBN 978 0 19 929116 8 LCCN 2005033395 OCLC 62322400 Haldane J B S 1932 The Causes of Evolution London New York Longmans Green amp Co LCCN 32033284 OCLC 5006266 This book is based on a series of lectures delivered in January 1931 at the Prifysgol Cymru Aberystwyth and entitled A re examination of Darwinism External links Edit nbsp Wikiquote has quotations related to The Genetical Theory of Natural Selection The Genetical Theory Of Natural Selection at 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