Orthogenic evolution is a concept in biology that refers to the evolutionary changes in a species that are determined by internal factors rather than external ones. The word "orthogenic" consists of the prefix "ortho-" meaning "correct", and the stem "-genic" which means "originating from". The pronunciation of "orthogenic" is [ɔrθoʊˈdʒɛnɪk]. The stress falls on the second syllable "GEN" which is pronounced with the affricate sound "dʒ". In summary, orthogenic evolution refers to the correct, internal development of a species over time.
Orthogenic evolution refers to the process of directed or purposeful evolution, in which species exhibit intrinsic trends or tendencies towards specific changes or adaptations over time. It is an alternative hypothesis to Darwin's theory of natural selection, emphasizing internal forces or drives within organisms that lead to their evolution in a predetermined direction.
The concept of orthogenic evolution suggests that species possess inherent potentialities or predetermined pathways for development, which are influenced by internal factors such as genetic predispositions or developmental constraints. These intrinsic factors are believed to guide evolutionary change, independent of external selective pressures or environmental interactions.
Orthogenic evolution was proposed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as an explanation for various patterns observed in the fossil record, such as the presence of lineages with consistent directional changes over long periods of time. Proponents argued that these patterns could not be fully explained by the random variations and blind selection processes proposed by natural selection.
However, orthogenic evolution has largely fallen out of favor among contemporary evolutionary biologists due to the lack of empirical support and conflicts with the overwhelming evidence for natural selection as the primary mechanism of evolutionary change. The modern synthesis of evolution incorporates an amalgamation of natural selection, genetic drift, and other mechanisms to explain the diversity and complexity of life.
Bathmic evolution, a change of type due to something inherent in the constitution, independent of the environment.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word orthogenic is derived from the Greek roots orthos meaning straight or correct and genos meaning race or kind. In this context, the term likely refers to the idea of a straight or correct path of evolutionary development.
The term evolution originates from the Latin word evolutio, which means unrolling or opening out. Its usage in the realm of biology and the theory of species development was popularized by Charles Darwin in his book On the Origin of Species.