NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Richard Lewontin

Richard Charles "Dick" Lewontin (born March 29, 1929) is an American evolutionary biologist, geneticist and social commentator. A leader in developing the mathematical basis of population genetics and evolutionary theory, he pioneered the notion of using techniques from molecular biology such as gel electrophoresis to apply to questions of genetic variation and evolution. In a pair of 1966 papers co-authored with J.L. Hubby in the journal Genetics, Lewontin helped set the stage for the modern field of molecular evolution. Image File history File links Richard_Lewontin. ... Image File history File links Richard_Lewontin. ... March 29 is the 88th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (89th in Leap years). ... 1929 (MCMXXIX) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar). ... Evolutionary biology is a subfield of biology concerned with the origin and descent of species, as well as their change over time, i. ... == A geneticist is a scientist who studies genes, or a physician who diagnoses, treats, and counsels patients with genetic disorders or syndromes. ... A commentator is an individual who comments on sports, politics, current events, or public issues; synonyms include pundit. ... Mathematics is commonly defined as the study of patterns of structure, change, and space; more informally, one might say it is the study of figures and numbers. Mathematical knowledge is constantly growing, through research and application, but mathematics itself is not usually considered a natural science. ... Population genetics is the study of the distribution of and change in allele frequencies under the influence of the four evolutionary forces: natural selection, genetic drift, mutation, and migration. ... Molecular biology is the study of biology at a molecular level. ... SDS-PAGE autoradiography DNA agarose gel Gel electrophoresis is a group of techniques used by scientists to separate molecules based on physical characteristics such as size, shape, or isoelectric point. ... The gene pool of a species or a population is the complete set of unique alleles that would be found by inspecting the genetic material of every living member of that species or population. ... 1966 (MCMLXVI) was a common year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1966 calendar). ... Pork and beans (not to be confused with the Journal of Genetics) is a yearly scientific journal publishing investigations bearing on heredity and variation. ... Molecular evolution is the process of the genetic material in populations of organisms changing over time. ...

Biography

Lewontin was born in New York City. Lewontin attended Forest Hills High School and the Ecole Libre des Hautes Etudes in New York. In 1951, he obtained a bachelors degree in biology from Harvard University. In 1952, he received a master's degree in mathematical statistics followed by a doctorate in zoology in 1954, both from Columbia University. Lewontin held faculty positions at North Carolina State University, the University of Rochester, and the University of Chicago. In 1973 Lewontin served as Alexander Agassiz Professor of Zoology and Professor of Biology at Harvard until 1998 and as of 2003 was the Alexander Agassiz Research Professor at Harvard. Lewontin has worked with and had great influence on many philosophers of biology, including Elliott Sober, Philip Kitcher, Peter Godfrey-Smith, and Robert Brandon, often inviting them to work in his lab. Nickname: The Big Apple Motto: Official website: City of New York Location [[Image:|250px|250px|Location of City of New York, New York]] Location in the state of New York Government Counties (Boroughs) Bronx (The Bronx) New York (Manhattan) Queens (Queens) Kings (Brooklyn) Richmond (Staten Island) Mayor Michael Bloomberg (R... 1951 (MCMLI) was a common year starting on Monday; see its calendar. ... Harvard University is a private university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA and a member of the Ivy League. ... 1952 (MCMLII) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1954 (MCMLIV) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Columbia University is a private university in the Morningside Heights neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City and a member of the Ivy League. ... North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public, coeducational, extensive research university located in Raleigh, North Carolina, United States. ... Located in Rochester, New York, USA and founded in 1850, the University of Rochester is a private, coeducational and nonsectarian research institution. ... The University of Chicago is a private university principally located in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois, founded in 1890 and opened in 1892. ... 1973 (MCMLXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1973 calendar). ... 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year of the Ocean. ... 2003 is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar, and also: The International Year of Freshwater The European Disability Year Events January events January 1 Luíz Inácio Lula Da Silva becomes the 37th President of Brazil. ... Elliott Sober -- Hans Reichenbach Professor and William F. Vilas Research Professor in the Department of Philosophy at University of Wisconsin. ... Philip Kitcher (born 1947) is an American philosophy professor who specializes in the philosophy of science. ...

Work

Lewontin and his late Harvard colleague Stephen Jay Gould introduced the use of the architectural word "spandrel" in an evolutionary context, in an influential 1979 paper "The spandrels of San Marco and the Panglossion paradigm: a critique of the adaptationist programme", using it for a feature of an organism that exists as a necessary consequence of other features and is not actually selected for. The relative frequency of spandrels, so defined, versus adaptive features in nature, remains a controversial topic in evolutionary biology. Harvard University is a private university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA and a member of the Ivy League. ... Stephen Jay Gould Stephen Jay Gould (September 10, 1941 â€“ May 20, 2002) was an American paleontologist, evolutionary biologist, and historian of science. ... The Parthenon on top of the Acropolis, Athens, Greece Table of architecture, Cyclopaedia, 1728 The following article focuses on built environment, the architecture of spaces designed for human habitation. ... A spandrel is originally a term from Architecture, but has more recently been given an analogous meaning in Evolutionary biology. ...

Lewontin was an early proponent of a hierarchy of levels of selection in his article "The Units of Selection". He has been a major influence on philosophers of biology, notably William Wimsatt, who taught with Lewontin and Richard Levins at the University of Chicago, Robert Brandon, who studied with Lewontin as graduate student, Philip Kitcher, and Elliot Sober. Lewontin briefly argued for the historical nature of biological causality in "Is Nature Probable or Capricious." Philip Kitcher (born 1947) is an American philosophy professor who specializes in the philosophy of science. ... Elliott Sober -- Hans Reichenbach Professor and William F. Vilas Research Professor in the Department of Philosophy at University of Wisconsin. ...

In "Organism and Environment" in Scientia, and in more popular form in the last chapter of Biology as Ideology, Lewontin argued that while traditional Darwinism has portrayed the organism as passive receiver of environmental influences, a correct understanding should emphasize the organism as an active constructer of its environment. Niches are not pre-formed, empty receptacles into which organisms are inserted, but are defined and created by organisms. The organism-environment relationship is reciprocal and dialectical. M.W. Feldman, K.N. Laland, and F.J. Odling-Smee among others have developed Lewontin's conception in more detailed models. There are several things called niche, a word English has borrowed from French: Generally, a niche is a special place within the scheme of things. ...

Lewontin has long been a critic of traditional neo-Darwinian approaches to adaptation. In his article "Adaptation" in the Italian Encyclopedia Einaudi and in a toned-down version in Scientific American he emphasized the need to give an engineering characterization of adaptation separate from measurement of number of offspring, rather than simply assuming organs or organisms are at adaptive optima. Lewontin has claimed that his more general, technical criticism of adaptationism grew out of his recognition that the fallacies of sociobiology reflect fundamentally flawed assumptions of adaptiveness of all traits in much of the modern evolutionary synthesis. The eye is an adaptation. ... Scientific American is a popular-science magazine, published monthly since August 28, 1845, making it the oldest continuously published magazine in the United States. ... Adaptationism is the view that all or most traits are optimal adaptations. ... Sociobiology is a synthesis of scientific disciplines that attempts to explain behaviour in all species by considering the evolutionary advantages of social behaviours. ... The modern evolutionary synthesis (often referred to simply as the modern synthesis or the evolutionary synthesis), neo-Darwinian synthesis or neo-Darwinism, generally denotes the combination of Charles Darwins theory of the evolution of species by natural selection, Gregor Mendels theory of genetics as the basis for biological...

Sociobiology and evolutionary psychology

Along with others, such as Gould, Lewontin has been a persistent critic of some themes in neo-Darwinism; specifically, he has criticised sociobiologists and evolutionary psychologists such as Edward O. Wilson and Richard Dawkins, who attempt to explain animal behaviour and social structures in terms of evolutionary advantage or strategy—this has been controversial when applied to humans, because some see it as genetic determinism. Lewontin, in his writing, calls for what he considers a more nuanced view of evolution, which he claims requires a more careful understanding of the context of the whole organism as well as the environment. The modern evolutionary synthesis (often referred to simply as the modern synthesis), neo-Darwinian synthesis or neo-Darwinism, brings together Charles Darwins theory of the evolution of species by natural selection with Gregor Mendels theory of genetics as the basis for biological inheritance. ... Sociobiology is a synthesis of scientific disciplines that attempts to explain behaviour in all species by considering the evolutionary advantages of social behaviours. ... Evolutionary psychology (abbreviated ev-psych or EP) proposes psychology can be better understood in light of evolution. ... E.O. Wilson with Dynastes hercules E. O. Wilson, or Edward Osborne Wilson, (born June 10, 1929) is an entomologist and biologist known for his work on ecology, evolution, and sociobiology. ... Richard Dawkins Clinton Richard Dawkins DSc, FRS, FRSL (known as Richard Dawkins; born March 26, 1941) is an eminent British ethologist, evolutionary theorist, and popular science writer who holds the Charles Simonyi Chair in the Public Understanding of Science at Oxford University. ... Genetic determinism is the idea that an individuals genes determine to a large degree all aspects of their behaviour. ...

Such concerns about what he views as the oversimplification of genetics led Lewontin to be a frequent commentator in debates, and he has lectured widely to promote his views on evolutionary biology and science. In books such as Not in Our Genes (co-authored with Steven Rose and Leon J. Kamin) and numerous articles, Lewontin has questioned much of the claimed heritability of human behavioral traits such as intelligence as measured by IQ tests, promoted by books such as The Bell Curve. Cover of Not in our Genes. ... Steven Rose Steven P. Rose (born July 4, 1938 in London) is a professor of biology and neurobiology at the Open University and University of London. ... Leon J. Kamin (born December 29, 1927 in Taunton, Massachusetts) is an American psychologist. ... Heritability, as used professionally in genetics, has a very precise definition. ... Intelligence is the mental capacity to reason, plan, solve problems, think abstractly, comprehend ideas and language, and learn. ... IQ redirects here; for other uses of that term, see IQ (disambiguation). ... The Bell Curve is a controversial, best-selling 1994 book by Richard J. Herrnstein and Charles Murray exploring the role of intelligence in American life. ...

Lewontin has been criticized by some academics for a rejection of sociobiology for non-scientific reasons. Some credit this rejection to political beliefs (Wilson 1995) (Lewontin has at times identified himself as Marxist or at least left-leaning). Others (Kitcher 1985) have countered that Lewontin's criticisms of sociobiology are genuine scientific concerns about the discipline and claim that attacking Lewontin's motives amount to an ad hominem argument. Researchers such as Steven Pinker (2002) address Lewontin's concerns in a scientific context, but nevertheless believe that Lewontin is attacking a straw man version of sociobiology (or its more modern incarnation as evolutionary psychology) and therefore claim that his arguments miss the target. Sociobiology is a synthesis of scientific disciplines that attempts to explain behaviour in all species by considering the evolutionary advantages of social behaviours. ... Marxism is the political practice and social theory based on the works of Karl Marx, a 19th century philosopher, economist, journalist, and revolutionary, along with Friedrich Engels. ... An ad hominem argument, also known as argumentum ad hominem (Latin, literally argument to the man) or attacking the messenger, is a logical fallacy that involves replying to an argument or assertion by attacking the person presenting the argument or assertion rather than the argument itself. ... Steven Pinker Steven Pinker (born September 18, 1954, in Montreal, Canada) is a prominent American experimental psychologist, cognitive scientist and popular science writer known for his spirited and wide-ranging defence of evolutionary psychology and the computational theory of mind. ... The term straw man or man of straw can have many different meanings. ... Evolutionary psychology (abbreviated ev-psych or EP) proposes psychology can be better understood in light of evolution. ...

Agribusiness

Lewontin has also written on the economics of agribusiness. He has contended that hybrid corn was developed and propagated not because of its superior quality, but because it allowed agribusiness corporations to force farmers to buy new seed each year rather than plant seed produced by their previous crop of corn. Lewontin testified in an unsuccessful suit in California challenging the state's financing of research to develop automatic tomato pickers, favoring the profits of agribusiness over the employment of farm workers.

Recognition

1961 (MCMLXI) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ... The Fulbright Program is program of educational grants (Fulbright Fellowships) sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the United States Department of State. ... 1961 (MCMLXI) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ... The logo of the National Science Foundation The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent United States government agency that supports fundamental research and education in all the non-medical fields of science and engineering. ... The 1970s decade refers to the years from 1970 to 1979, inclusive. ... President Harding and the National Academy of Sciences at the White House, Washington, DC, April 1921 The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) is a corporation in the United States whose members serve pro bono as advisers to the nation on science, engineering, and medicine. ... 1994 (MCMXCIV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International year of the Family. ... Sewall Green Wright (December 21, 1889â€“ March 3, 1988) was an American geneticist known for his influential work on evolutionary theory. ...

Bibliography

Steven Rose Steven P. Rose (born July 4, 1938 in London) is a professor of biology and neurobiology at the Open University and University of London. ... Leon J. Kamin (born December 29, 1927 in Taunton, Massachusetts) is an American psychologist. ... Richard (Dick) Levins: Mathematical ecologist, tropical farmer, and political activist. ...

References

MIT Press Books The MIT Press is a university publisher affiliated with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, Massachusetts. ... Steven Pinker Steven Pinker (born September 18, 1954, in Montreal, Canada) is a prominent American experimental psychologist, cognitive scientist and popular science writer known for his spirited and wide-ranging defence of evolutionary psychology and the computational theory of mind. ... The Blank Slate: The Modern Denial of Human Nature is a 2002 book (published by Penguin Putnam, ISBN 0670031518) by Steven Pinker arguing against tabula rasa models of psychology, claiming that the human mind is shaped by evolutionary psychological adaptations. ... Penguin Group is the second largest trade book publisher in the world. ... E.O. Wilson with Dynastes hercules E. O. Wilson, or Edward Osborne Wilson, (born June 10, 1929) is an entomologist and biologist known for his work on ecology, evolution, and sociobiology. ... 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

Categories: 1929 births | Living people | Population geneticists | American biologists | American mathematicians | Marxists Morphogenesis (from the Greek morphÃª shape and genesis creation) is one of three fundamental aspects of developmental biology along with the control of cell growth and cellular differentiation. ... The phenotype of an individual organism is either its total physical appearance and constitution or a specific manifestation of a trait, such as size or eye color, that varies between individuals. ... The genotype-phenotype distinction refers to the fact that while genotype and phenotype of an organism are related, they do not necessarily coincide. ... In ecology and biology, a norm of reaction describes the pattern of phenotypic expression of a single genotype across a range of environments. ... In biology and psychology Gene-environment interaction is a term used to describe any phenotypic effects that are due to interactions between the environment and genes. ... Heritability, as used professionally in genetics, has a very precise definition. ... Quantitative genetics is the study of continuous traits (such as height or weight) and its underlying mechanisms. ... Genetic architecture refers to the underlying genetic basis of a phenotypic trait. ... It has been suggested that dominant gene be merged into this article or section. ... An example of epistastis would be sweet peas. ... Polygenic inheritance is the inheritance pattern of a trait controlled by two or more genes. ... Pleiotropy is the multiple effects of a single gene. ... We dont have an article called Phenotypic plasticity Start this article Search for Phenotypic plasticity in. ... Norms of reaction for two genotypes. ... In evolutionary biology, fitness landscapes or adaptive landscapes are used to visualize the relationship between genotypes (or phenotypes) and replicatory success. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Epigenetics. ... Epigenetics is the study of reversible heritable changes in gene function that occur without a change in the sequence of nuclear DNA. It is also the study of the processes involved in the unfolding development of an organism. ... A maternal effect, in genetics, is the phenomena where the genotype of a mother is expressed in the phenotype of its offspring. ... Morphogenesis (from the Greek morphê shape and genesis creation) is one of three fundamental aspects of developmental biology along with the control of cell growth and cellular differentiation. ... Modularity is a concept that has applications in the contexts of computer science, particularly programming, as well as cognitive science in investigating the structure of mind. ... Evolvability is a concept in that relates ability of a particular phenotype to be robust to mutations. ... Mutational robustness describes the extent to which an organisms phenotype remains constant in spite of mutation. ... The evolution of sex is a major puzzle in modern evolutionary biology. ... Conrad Hal Waddington (1905 â€” 1975), known to his friends as Wad, was a developmental biologist, paleontologist, geneticist, embryologist and philosopher. ... Nature versus nurture is a shorthand expression for debates about the relative importance of an individuals innate qualities (nature) versus personal experiences (nurture) in determining or causing individual differences in physical and behavioral traits. ... This is a list of topics in evolutionary biology and evolution. ...

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