August Weismann e evolução

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Abstract

Weismann advanced an evolution theory in the early 20th century. It was closely related to his theory of the germ-plasm structure (biophors, determinants and ids). Weismann’s evolution theory had a minor acceptance in his own time. Moreover, it has been barely explored and discussed by historians of science. The aim of this paper is to discuss Weismann’s evolution theory, considering not only the aspects which he followed Darwin’s ideas closely, but also emphasizing Weismann’s own contributions: the different selection levels. Besides natural and sexual selection, Weismann also accepted three other levels of selection: germinal, histonal, personal and cormal.