use-inheritance

Whatever we think of this move, the tendency to praise Darwin while damning Spencer often overlooks the fact that Darwin, too, believed in the biological significance of use-inheritance, and it figured strongly in his own views of cultural evolution.

Cultural Evolution Lewens, Tim 2007

Through the long stages of evolution from primæval protoplasm upwards, such species as were least affected by use-inheritance would be most free to develop necessary but seldom-used organs, protective coverings such as shells or skulls, and natural weapons, defences, ornaments, special adaptations, and so forth; and this would be an advantage -- for survival would obviously depend on the

Are the Effects of Use and Disuse Inherited? An Examination of the View Held by Spencer and Darwin

I suspect that investigation would reveal anomalies inconsistent with the theory of use-inheritance.

Are the Effects of Use and Disuse Inherited? An Examination of the View Held by Spencer and Darwin

Would this dominant cause of evolution have favoured a tendency to use-inheritance if such had appeared, or would it have discouraged and destroyed it?

Are the Effects of Use and Disuse Inherited? An Examination of the View Held by Spencer and Darwin

The benefits derivable from use-inheritance are largely illusory.

Are the Effects of Use and Disuse Inherited? An Examination of the View Held by Spencer and Darwin

We have already seen that use-inheritance is unnecessary, since natural selection will be far more effective in bringing about advantageous modifications; and if it can be shown that use-inheritance would often be an evil, it then becomes probable that on the whole natural selection would more strongly discourage and eliminate it as a hostile factor than it might occasionally favour such a tendency as a totally unnecessary aid.

Are the Effects of Use and Disuse Inherited? An Examination of the View Held by Spencer and Darwin

Is it not a significant fact that the alleged instances of use-inheritance so often prove to be self-conflicting in their details?

Are the Effects of Use and Disuse Inherited? An Examination of the View Held by Spencer and Darwin

The excess of their powers beyond their parents 'must surely be attributed to spontaneous variation; and who shall say that the rest was in any way due to use-inheritance?

Are the Effects of Use and Disuse Inherited? An Examination of the View Held by Spencer and Darwin

[45] For the importance of panmixia as invalidating Darwin's strongest evidence for use-inheritance -- namely, that drawn from the effects of disuse in highly-fed domestic animals where there is supposed to be no economy of growth -- see Professor Romanes on Panmixia, _Nature_, April 3,

Are the Effects of Use and Disuse Inherited? An Examination of the View Held by Spencer and Darwin

How then can we rely upon use-inheritance for the improvement of the race?

Are the Effects of Use and Disuse Inherited? An Examination of the View Held by Spencer and Darwin