Heterodox Thinking on Evolution and Radical Enlightenment.

The article focuses on contemporary heterodox critiques and alternatives to the gene-centered Modern Synthesis (MS) of evolutionary theory, highlighting its limitations and the need for pluralistic approaches. It outlines how the MS, which emphasizes random genetic mutation and natural selection as primary evolutionary drivers, is challenged by theories such as Denis Noble's Biological Relativity, Peter Corning's Synergism Hypothesis, Evan Thompson's Enactive Evolution, and Denis Walsh's Situated Darwinism, all of which stress organismal agency, purposiveness, and multi-level causation. The article argues that the MS's foundational assumptions—such as the Weismann Barrier, the Central Dogma of molecular biology, and genetic determinism—are increasingly untenable, prompting calls for an Extended Evolutionary Synthesis or even a paradigm shift. Emphasizing the values of the Radical Enlightenment, it advocates for a respectful pluralism in evolutionary science to avoid the ossification of new orthodoxies and to foster ongoing critical debate and integration of diverse perspectives.