R. C. Lewontin
contemporaryPhilosophy of Biology, Evolutionary Theory1929 – 2021
Richard C. Lewontin (1929–2021) was an American evolutionary biologist and geneticist at Harvard University, renowned for his contributions to population genetics and his sharp critiques of genetic determinism and adaptationism. He co-developed the concept of the 'spandrel' critique with Stephen Jay Gould and was a leading voice in debates over the gene-centric view of evolution.
Notable Achievements
1
Co-authored 'The Spandrels of San Marco' with Gould, critiquing pan-adaptationism
2
Pioneered the use of gel electrophoresis to measure genetic variation in natural populations
3
Demonstrated that replicator dynamics need not converge to evolutionarily stable states
4
Authored 'The Genetic Basis of Evolutionary Change' (1974), foundational in population genetics
5
Sustained critique of genetic determinism and sociobiology in works like 'Not in Our Genes'