DEVELOPMENTAL CONSTRAINTS AND PATTERNS - SOME PERTINENT DISTINCTIONS

This paper remedies some of the conceptual ambiguity in the union of e volution and development by explicating two key concepts in this disci plinary integration: that of a developmental constraint on evolution a nd of a developmental pattern or form. The phrases ''developmental pat tern'' and ''developmental constraint'' often mean quite different thi ngs to different people in different theoretical contexts. It is inten ded that this paper will help clarify thinking about evolution and dev elopment by distinguishing between historical/ahistorical, local/unive rsal and passive/active senses of these terms and by suggesting some e xpressions to help stabilize and clarify usage.