neo-darwinism
Low (Specialist/Academic)Formal, Academic, Scientific
Definition
Meaning
The modern synthesis of Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection with Mendelian genetics, forming the dominant evolutionary paradigm.
A biological theory emphasizing natural selection acting on genetic variation as the primary mechanism of evolutionary change, often contrasted with Lamarckism or earlier Darwinian ideas lacking a genetic mechanism.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Refers specifically to the 20th-century synthesis, not to Darwin's original 19th-century theory. Often used historically to distinguish the modern evolutionary synthesis from earlier or competing theories.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences; term is identical in both academic communities.
Connotations
In both varieties, carries connotations of scientific orthodoxy in evolutionary biology. May be used pejoratively by critics of the modern synthesis.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both UK and US English, confined to biological and philosophical academic contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Neo-Darwinism] + [verb: emphasizes, posits, argues, holds][Critique/Challenge/Defense] + [preposition: of] + [Neo-Darwinism][Adherent/Proponent/Critic] + [preposition: of] + [Neo-Darwinism]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “the neo-Darwinian orthodoxy”
- “a neo-Darwinian framework”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Primary context. Used in biology, history of science, and philosophy of biology to denote the dominant 20th-century evolutionary paradigm.
Everyday
Extremely rare; would be misunderstood by most non-specialists.
Technical
Precise term in evolutionary biology and related disciplines.
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- The debate centred on whether neo-Darwinism could adequately explain the evolution of altruistic behaviour.
- His research questioned a fundamental tenet of classical neo-Darwinism.
American English
- Neo-Darwinism faced significant challenges from the discovery of epigenetic inheritance mechanisms.
- The textbook presented neo-Darwinism as the cornerstone of modern biology.
adjective
British English
- The neo-Darwinian consensus held sway for much of the last century.
- She took a rigorously neo-Darwinian approach to the problem.
American English
- His arguments were framed within a standard neo-Darwinian framework.
- The critique targeted neo-Darwinian assumptions about genetic determinism.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Neo-Darwinism is an important theory in biology.
- Scientists developed neo-Darwinism in the 20th century.
- While neo-Darwinism combines genetics with natural selection, some newer theories incorporate additional factors.
- The philosopher explained the basic principles of the neo-Darwinian synthesis.
- Proponents of the Extended Evolutionary Synthesis argue that it supersedes the narrower gene-centric focus of classical neo-Darwinism.
- The historian traced the rise of the neo-Darwinian orthodoxy in mid-twentieth-century academia.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
NEO-DARWINISM: New Evolutionary Orthodoxy - Darwin's ideas updated with genetics.
Conceptual Metaphor
THEORY AS A BUILDING/SYNTHESIS (e.g., 'the neo-Darwinian synthesis', 'foundations of neo-Darwinism').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Неодарвинизм (direct calque, correct)
- Avoid confusing with 'Social Darwinism' (социальный дарвинизм), which is a different concept.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'neodarwinism' (hyphen is often used).
- Using it to refer to Darwin's original 1859 theory.
- Confusing it with 'Social Darwinism'.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a key component of neo-Darwinism?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Darwin's original theory (1859) lacked a mechanism for heredity. Neo-Darwinism is the 20th-century synthesis that combined natural selection with Mendelian genetics.
Critics argue it is overly 'gene-centric' and neglects other important evolutionary processes like epigenetics, developmental biology, and niche construction.
Its core principles remain foundational, but the field is evolving with concepts from the 'Extended Evolutionary Synthesis', which seeks to integrate newer findings.
Key synthesizers include Ronald Fisher, J.B.S. Haldane, and Sewall Wright (population genetics), along with Theodosius Dobzhansky, Ernst Mayr, and Julian Huxley.