Creationists criticize the idea of natural selection as a circular argument, or tautology, claiming "The fittest are those that survive, and survival is how fitness is defined." Why is our definition of natural selection not tautological? a. Fitness also includes a reproduction component. b. Natural selection is measured by contribution to the next generation, not simply survival of an individual organism. c. Creationists use religious definitions of these terms, not scientific ones. d. Creationists do not realize that evolutionary biologists recognize other mechanisms of evolution, including genetic drift. e. This is a legitimate criticism of natural selection and even Darwin acknowledges it in On the Origin of Species.

Question

Biology

Lilah Moon

Today, 14:14

Creationists criticize the idea of natural selection as a circular argument, or tautology, claiming "The fittest are those that survive, and survival is how fitness is defined." Why is our definition of natural selection not tautological? a. Fitness also includes a reproduction component. b. Natural selection is measured by contribution to the next generation, not simply survival of an individual organism. c. Creationists use religious definitions of these terms, not scientific ones. d. Creationists do not realize that evolutionary biologists recognize other mechanisms of evolution, including genetic drift. e. This is a legitimate criticism of natural selection and even Darwin acknowledges it in On the Origin of Species.

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Answers (1)

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Gerald Figueroa · Answer 1

Answer: Option B

Explanation:

Circular reasoning can be defined as the state in which the reasoner begins the arguments with what they try to end it. This is not possible in case of natural selection, this is because it can be defined as the survival of fittest in every generation.

As, we can observe fittest are those who survive and survival is how fitness is defined. This character is not only restricted upto one generation or an individual the fitness of the organism is transferred to another generation as well.

So, the statement is not tautological or circular agreement, it is an idea of natural selection.