A Theory of No-Thing

André De Vinck

doi:10.22339/jbh.v3i1.3150

Abstract

How can we define a new general theory of evolution and, consequently, a new general theory of evolutionary history? First, we have to solve the mystery that lies at the heart of Darwin’s great book. Second, we have to trace the beginnings of nature-culture-history. Darwin couldn’t define the term species and his successors cannot define the term gene. A standard solution to this dilemma is to define a species as a group of dimorphic organisms that successfully exchange genes. However, one undefinable thing can’t be used to define another undefinable thing. Instead of tracing the evolution of undefinable things, we can trace the evolution of definable relations–e.g. exchange. To exchange means to put in relation and, therefore, to signify the relative values of the signifiers being exchanged as well as the relative values of the signifiers initiating the exchange. In this context I suggest that nature begins with the dynamic of exchange, culture begins with the practice of exchange, history begins with the syntax of exchange. Instead of a theory of every-thing, therefore, I propose a theory of no-thing. I propose that no-thing exists in and of itself and that every-thing evolves as a co-incidental eco-matrix of the signifying relations of exchange.

Highlights

How can we define a n ew general theory of evolution and, a n ew general theory of evolutionary history? First, we have to solve the mystery that lies at the heart of Darwin’s great book
We can begin again with the question posed by Darwin’s title: What is the origin of species? When Darwin tries to define his basic terms, he acknowledges that, “Certainly no clear line of demarcation has yet been drawn between a species and a sub-species...or again between a subspecies and well-marked varieties, or between lesser varieties and individual differences” (OS, 44). He admits that, “I look at the term species, as one arbitrarily given for the sake of convenience to a set of individuals closely resembling each other, and that it does not essentially differ from the term variety, which is given to less distinct and more fluctuating forms
In the second chapter of his great book, Darwin confronts the radical implications of his radical theory of evolution: i.e. the origin has no originality and the species has no specificity

Summary

Introduction

How can we define a n ew general theory of evolution and, a n ew general theory of evolutionary history? First, we have to solve the mystery that lies at the heart of Darwin’s great book. I suggest that we can advance Darwin, Wallace, Mendel’s theories of nature by shifting our attention from the empirical identifications of species, varieties, genes to the evolutionary articulations of the signifying relations of exchange.

Results

Conclusion