Note 101 — III THE BASIS OF THE POPULATION PROBLEM: (2) THE QUALITATIVE ASPECT

A certain amount of confusion has been introduced into the whole question of evolution by the manner in which in recent biological writings the function of selection has been depreciated. The followers of Darwin undoubtedly at times exaggerated the importance of selection. In particular selection has even been spoken of as though it caused variation and, as it were, drew organisms along certain paths. It is essential to remember, as has been emphasized above, that it can only act upon what is given. But without doubt there has been recently a tendency to under-estimate the importance of selection. Though the process of selection is nothing more than a process of sifting, that process is of fundamental importance; unless due weight is given to it, evolution cannot be rendered comprehensible.