Neo-Lamarckism is a modern revival of Lamarck’s evolutionary ideas, proposing that acquired characteristics can be inherited, and environmental influences play a significant role in driving evolutionary changes.
Criticism of Lamarckism includes:
- Lack of Evidence: There is limited empirical evidence supporting the inheritance of acquired characteristics.
- Mechanism of Inheritance: Lamarck did not provide a clear mechanism for how acquired traits are passed on to the next generation.
- Contradictory Examples: Some examples cited by Lamarck, like the giraffe’s neck, have alternative explanations through natural selection.
- Modern Genetics: Neo-Darwinism and the discovery of genetics largely invalidated Lamarck’s ideas.
