RE: sci.bio.evolution mailing list

From: John Edser (edser_at_tpg.com.au)
Date: 11/04/04 

Date: Thu, 4 Nov 2004 15:48:38 +0000 (UTC)

 William Morse <wdmorse@twcny.rr.com> wqrote:
> >> JE:-
> >> The phrase: "reproductive value is highest" lacks
> >> rigor, yet the entire argument depends on it.

> > LM:-
> > Apologies for not defining every single term that I use. I have
> > assumed some basic familiarity with evolutionary concepts.
> > Reproductive value is well defined, and is a key player in the
> > evolution of senescence, so I thought it unnecessary to go into more
> > detail.
> > I am astonished that, amidst all the wooly group selectionist thinking
> > which is flying around this thread, I am being accused of lack of
> > rigour. I do not deny that group selection could have selected for
> > individuals to die so as to not cause a drain of resources for the
> > community, however I do know that such careless appeals to group
> > selection can be extremely misleading.

> WM:-
> Yeah, well, look at who is doing the accusing - John has a strong
> tendency towards demanding absolutes even where they are inappropriate.

JE;-
I claim to have been misrepresented
by Bill Morse. Where have I demanded
absolutes where such a demand was
"inappropriate"?

You cannot ethically make such a claim
unless you can provide specific examples.
Please provide these missing examples
or provide an apology.

Regards,

John Edser
Independent Researcher

PO Box 266
Church Pt
NSW 2105
Australia

edser@tpg.com.au