Genetic Intelligence, Evolution of

Abstract

The purpose of this article is fourfold: (1) To frame the intellectual context of “adaptive”, “directed”, or “Cairnsian” mutation. This area of research is—and will likely remain—controversial. (2) To review the points to be considered when critically reading in the field; (3) to consider the question of how mechanisms for an “intelligent” generation of diversity could evolve and, in this context; (4) to suggest connections between the fields of genetic algorithms in computer science and those of biological evolution proper (carbon—rather than silicon—based life forms).