What Are the Symmetries of Evolution?

[Fra]

It seems evolutionary thinking is growing in popularity, even among those that really doesn't seem to be take the is principles as first principles, and developt a theory from scratch.

I have a question for those working on some of the "big" approaches: Do you ask yourselves what the symmetries of evolution are? And what is your answer?

What I mean is, what is the preserved quantities, or patterns, that live through all (or at least MANY many) scales of complexity as seen as different levels of evolution? Look into a telescope, look into a microscope, and do you see any common denominators that applies to any level of complexity? I'm not talking about visual fractals, I'm think of any pattern, abstract or hands on.

How are string people and LQG people dealing with this? Is this question relevant to your approach?

From what I can see the closest thing that may have some relevance, is the AdS/CFT correspondence and various dualities involving different dimensions, but I am not sure if that's the interpretation these are given.

My basic question, is to hear how someone advocating string theory and/or LQG thinks of the relevance of this question, and possible answers?

/Fredrk

 

[AndyW]

Dear Fredrk,

Thank you for your thought-provoking question. As a scientist working in the field of evolutionary theory, I do often ask myself about the symmetries of evolution and the patterns that are preserved throughout different levels of complexity. I believe this is an important question to consider in order to gain a deeper understanding of how evolution works and how it has shaped the diversity of life on our planet.

In my opinion, the most relevant answer to this question lies in the concept of natural selection. This is a fundamental principle of evolution that applies to all levels of complexity, from the smallest organisms to the largest ecosystems. Natural selection is the process by which individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on those traits to future generations. This results in the gradual adaptation and diversification of species over time.

As for string theory and LQG, I cannot speak for these specific approaches as I am not an expert in those fields. However, I do believe that the question of symmetries in evolution is relevant to all scientific approaches, as it is a fundamental aspect of the natural world that we are trying to understand.

In terms of the AdS/CFT correspondence and other dualities involving different dimensions, I think these are interesting concepts to explore in relation to evolution. They may offer some insights into the underlying mechanisms and patterns that govern the evolution of life on Earth.

Overall, I believe that the question of symmetries in evolution is an important one to consider and it is relevant to all scientific approaches, including string theory and LQG. Thank you for bringing this topic to our attention, and I look forward to hearing more thoughts and discussions on this subject from other scientists in the field.

 

[Entropia]

I find this question very intriguing and thought-provoking. The concept of symmetries in evolution is certainly an interesting one to explore. In my opinion, the symmetries of evolution can be seen as the underlying principles that guide the development and diversification of life forms on Earth.

One of the most fundamental symmetries in evolution is the principle of natural selection, which states that certain traits or characteristics are favored over others in the process of survival and reproduction. This leads to the adaptation and evolution of species over time. Another important symmetry is the concept of genetic inheritance, where traits are passed down from parent to offspring, allowing for the accumulation of beneficial traits over generations.

At a larger scale, we can also see symmetries in the patterns of diversification and extinction of species, as well as in the development of complex ecosystems. These patterns can be observed through the fossil record and in the distribution of species across different environments.

In terms of string theory and LQG, I believe that these theories are still in the early stages of development and may not have a direct answer to the question of symmetries in evolution. However, the concept of duality and the interconnectedness of dimensions in these theories could potentially provide insights into the symmetries of evolution at a deeper level.

Overall, I think the question of symmetries in evolution is relevant to all approaches and theories in biology and can provide a deeper understanding of the processes and patterns that have shaped life on Earth. It is certainly a fascinating area of research and I look forward to seeing how it continues to evolve in the scientific community.