Adaptation and Natural Selection

Adaptation, Organic and Biotic

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Williams introduces the technical words for distinguishing genic (gene) selection and group selection. Biotic Adaptation, as distinguished from Biotic Evolution, is a process quite different from the adaptation of individuals to their environments; it is the adaptation of groups (as a whole), competing with other groups. Since the mechanisms of genic selection and group selection are quite different, the two may counteract. Here is a table, which summarizes the point:

Organic Evolution with Organic Adaptation	Biotic Evolution without Biotic Adaptation	Biotic Evolution with Biotic Adaptation
This can be brought about by (1) genetic diversity among individuals and (2) genic selection. This certainly exists!	This can be brought about either by (1) organic evolution or by (2) random alterations of the sizes of populations. This certainly exists, also.	This may be brought about by (1) genetic diversity among groups (populations) and (2) group selection. Does this exist?

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