The fall and rise of Dr Pangloss: adaptationism and the Spandrels paper 20years later

Twenty years have passed since Gould and Lewontin published their critique of 'the adaptationist program' - the tendency of some evolutionary biologis ts to assume, rather than demonstrate, the operation of natural selection. After the 'Spandrels paper', evolutionists were more careful about producin g just-so stories based on selection, and paid more attention to a panoply of other processes. Then came reactions against the excesses of the anti-ad aptationist movement, which ranged from a complete dismissal of Gould and L ewontin's contribution to a positive call to overcome the problems. We now have an excellent opportunity for finally affirming a more balanced and plu ralistic approach to the study of evolutionary biology.