Abstract

MALDONADO, CARLOS EDUARDO. Evolution, Theory of Extinctions, Complexity. Acta biol.Colomb. [online]. 2009, vol.14, suppl.1, pp.283-300. ISSN 0120-548X.

This paper discusses the possibility of reaching a theory of extinctions, a theory nonexistent so far that can be taken as complementary to the theory of evolution. The core problem is here the exploration of the general theory of complexity, a task that remains open and without a definite conclusion until now. Paleontology and biology can be grasped as the two faces of one and the same token whose most salient feature is punctuated equilibria and catastrophism, and not gradualism any longer. Extinctions are viewed here particularly as massive extinctions. After the dialogue between paleontology and biology, evolution and extinctions, a number of reflections are extrapolated to the social, cultural and philosophical framework. The general context hence is the one provided by the sciences of complexity.

Keywords : Change; massive extinctions; non-linearity; power laws; theory of evolution.

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