Punctuated Equilibrium: Neo-Darwinism +
Rapid Transformation Punctuated Equilibrium: Neo-Darwinism +
Rapid TransformationFor the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Romans 1:20 KJV
The concept of Punctuated Equilbrium (PEq) was presented in 1972 by paleontologists Stephen Jay Gould (1941-2002) and Niles Eldredge. Their hypothesis was thought to be a reasonable answer to Darwin's concern that transitional fossils were missing from the record. The following brief summary from Wikipedia outlines PEq:
Punctuated equilibrium is a hypothesis in evolutionary biology which proposes that
most species will exhibit little net evolutionary change for most of their
geological
history, remaining in an extended state called stasis. When significant evolutionary
change occurs, the hypothesis proposes that it is generally restricted to rare and
geologically rapid events of branching speciation called cladogenesis.
Cladogenesis is the process by which a species splits into two distinct species,
rather than one species gradually transforming into another.
Wikipedia Punctuated Equilibrium
Comment: The primary purpose of PEq is an attempt to explain why the 150+ year old problem of the missing transitional fossils is not a cause for concern. The possibility of sudden and dramatic change remains questionable, however, since PEq is not supported by empirical evidence. An alternative that has greater scientific plausibility is that the fossils have not been unearthed because there has never been a transition from a species to a higher and more complex life form. Also, the process described as cladogenesis by the ever-creative evolutionists sounds very scientific but is a contrived name to describe a contrived "science".
In its description of Punctuated Equilibrium, the online PBS Evolution Library also addresses Darwin's concern regarding the missing fossils, but then somewhat confidently lends support to idea of PEq:
That is certainly true in many cases (referencing the missing fossils),
because the chances of each of those
critical changing forms having been preserved as fossils are small. But in 1972,
evolutionary scientists Stephen Jay Gould and Niles Eldredge proposed another
explanation, which they called "punctuated equilibrium." That is, species are
generally stable, changing little for millions of years. This leisurely pace is
"punctuated" by a rapid burst of change that results in a new species and that
leaves few fossils behind.
PBS online Evolution Library
Comment on the PBS online Evolutionary Library: PBS furthers the discussion of
PEq as a potential answer to the missing interim fossils problem but fails to say that the hypothesis
is not based on sufficient verifiable evidence. A few fossil finds that may appear to be transitional
are still based on subjective analysis of the evidence. As an example, Tiktaalik* is
presented by evolutionists as a step between water and land-based creatures, having features
that appear
to be common to both. Once again, the interpretation of commonality is subjective and it should
be realized that this single creature could be a created species unto itself and is not on its way to
becoming something new.
It is also important to understand that many millions of fossils at all levels of complexity,
from sea life and crawling creatures and primates and humans, have been discovered and
examined extensively. And, despite the protests from the evolutionist camp, there are no
undisputed examples of evolutionary change.
*What has the head of a crocidile and the gills of a fish?,
Understanding Evolution, evolution.berkeley.edu, May 2006
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