PERSPECTIVE - DARWIN, PROGRESS, AND ECONOMIC-PRINCIPLES

Darwin's concept of progress was an economic one, with the accumulatio n of adaptations having a strong analogy to technological innovations. This interpretation makes it easier to understand his differences wit h Lamarck and others whose views he considered metaphysically objectio nable. It also clarifies his relationship to Malthus and such features of his theory as the episodic nature of evolutionary change. His posi tion is consistent with modern theories of biotic invasions and long-t erm evolutionary trends. It also accords well with current efforts to produce a synthesis between biology and economics.