Can we all agree that the human race is no longer evolving?

Feb 24, 2018 5:24:29 GMT Harold of Whoa said:

I am referring to basic biological Darwinian evolution, not some fancy sociological evolution (which is a whole other can o' worms).

We are done with that.  By and large, every aspect of what we call civilization is put in place to circumvent the processes which drive evolution, namely high death rates due to predation, famine, disease, etc.

In order for some trait to be advanced through Darwinian evolution, it must provide the individual some reproductive advantage.  (I say reproductive because that is the simplest way to break it down; reproductive advantage implies survival advantage as well, since an organism doesn't reproduce unless it survives long enough to reproduce, and it isn't reproductively successful unless its offspring also survive).  None of that is active with humanity; there is no genetic inheritance that leads to reproductive success, so there is no driving principle that would result in continued evolution.

Is this not so?

Serious now. I do understand what you are saying, but I think it may be hard to determine if our physical evolution has indeed stagnated for the reasons you mention. To appearances, there are humans who are reproducing that appear to provide no genetic advantage to our species, but yet they are reproducing in a world where social assistance programs and welfare are available to just this type of person. Could this indicate that these people are adapted to survive in just such a circumstance as this, to get the basic survival requirements (food, shelter) for a minimal effort? Secondly, perhaps the highest birthrates are occurring in the most primitive and backward societies because the "affluent" societies are not reproducing fast enough? You and I might believe that we are part of the "preferred" genetic pool, but we're just talking nature here. Nature has no conscience.

You didn't want to delve into social evolution which is also very good subject for debate, but I do believe that humankind is "evolving" further in a way that will continue to use machines to augment our physical constraints. Mankind is where he is (dominion over all plants and animals) due to his mind, far more than his physical attributes. I believe that our minds will guide our future or lead to our ruin, after which of course, nature will have her say.