Evolution in the light of Dependent Origination
By Nelson Gozah⚕️
Buddhist philosophy offers a unique perspective on the evolution of life on Earth, emphasizing the interdependent and impermanent nature of all things. The Buddhist theory of dependent origination, or Engi describes how all phenomena arise in dependence upon causes and conditions, and how they are ultimately empty of inherent existence.
Buddhism teaches that all life is interrelated. Through the concept of “dependent origination,” it holds that nothing exist in isolation, independent of other life. The Japanese term for dependent origination is Engi,literally “arising in relation.” In other words, all beings and phenomena exist or occur only because of their relationship with other beings or phenomena. Everything in the world comes into existence in response to causes and conditions. Nothing can exist in absolute independence of other things or arise of its own accord.”
The above excerpt implies that everything is truly interdependent. Although this might seem obvious, how this is interpreted makes all the difference. The following passage will show more on this matter.
“Put simply, dependent origination means that all phenomena arise as the result of conditions and cease when those conditions change. The general theory of dependent origination was taught by the Buddha as follows:
“When this exists, that comes to be; with the arising of this, that arises. When this does not exist, that does not come to be; with the cessation of this, that ceases.” (Connected Discourses, p. 575).
So nothing exists as a static, isolated entity. Everything arises and ceases depending on causes and conditions which themselves arise due to causes and conditions. There is no ultimate ground or primordial cause, but a network of interrelated causes and conditions. This undercuts the view of a metaphysical self-hood, fixed entity, or substance underlying the constant change which is life.”
As we can see from the above, the profundity of this interdependence should not be underestimated. Beyond describing a simplistic reality that functions like pool balls bouncing off each other, where their “connection” is simply how these apparent fixed entities bump into each other, it is in fact describing a far more elusive and profound process. It is literally suggesting that ‘oneself’ and the ‘environment’ are a mutually co-arising phenomena of causes and conditions that simultaneously give rise each other. This transforms our basic understanding of cause and effect from one cause leading to an effect in a linear delineated fashion, to everything everywhere being both the cause and effect at the same time. This is also known as the simultaneity of cause and effect, which is in fact suggesting that there is no absolute start or absolute end to anything; everything is a borderless continuing process where all phenomena co-arise simultaneously ad infinitum as causes and conditions.
This ontological principle goes a long way to elucidate the truth that,
‘If all Effects are the result of previous Causes, then the Cause of a given Effect must itself be the Effect of a previous Cause, which itself is the Effect of a previous Cause and so on and so forth forming an infinite unfathomable logical chain of events that can have no absolutely independent beginning or end’’
This assertions reveal the supremacy of the law of Causation which cannot be compromised and with no exception. A hugely profound idea to wrap our heads around!
Applied to the evolution of life on Earth, the theory of dependent origination suggests that the emergence of life was a complex and interdependent process, shaped by numerous causes and conditions. The origin of life was not a singular event, but rather a gradual and ongoing process that continues to this day.
This process was driven by the interplay of various factors, such as environmental conditions, selective pressures, and genetic mutations. Each of these factors arose in dependence upon other causes and conditions, creating a complex and interconnected web of causation that shaped the evolution of life on Earth.
At the same time, the Buddhist concept of emptiness suggests that all phenomena, including life and the processes that give rise to it, lack inherent existence. This means that they are not separate, independent entities, but rather are empty of any fixed, permanent identity. The evolution of life on Earth is therefore not a linear, deterministic process, but rather a dynamic and ever-changing one, with constant fluctuations and impermanence.
Taken together, the Buddhist concepts of dependent origination and emptiness offer a unique perspective on the evolution of life on Earth. They emphasize the interdependent and impermanent nature of all things, suggesting that the emergence of life was not a fixed or predetermined event, but rather a complex and ongoing process shaped by numerous causes and conditions.
Let’s take the example of the evolution of the Galapagos finches, a group of closely related bird species that are endemic to the Galapagos Islands. Charles Darwin famously studied the Galapagos finches during his voyage on the HMS Beagle, and they played a key role in his development of the theory of evolution by natural selection.
The theory of dependent origination suggests that the evolution of the Galapagos finches was shaped by a complex and interdependent web of causes and conditions. Here are some examples of how this theory might apply to their evolution:
1. Geographical Isolation: The Galapagos Islands are located over 600 miles off the coast of South America, and the finches that inhabit the different islands are geographically isolated from one another. This isolation created different environmental conditions and selective pressures on each island, leading to the development of distinct finch populations with different beak shapes and feeding strategies.
2. Availability of Food: The finches on each island had to adapt to the specific food sources available on that island. For example, some islands had more seeds while others had more insects or fruits. The finches that were better adapted to the available food sources were more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on their traits to future generations.
3. Genetic Variation: The finches on each island had genetic variation, which provided the raw material for natural selection to act upon. Genetic mutations, recombination, and genetic drift all contributed to the genetic diversity of the finch populations.
4. Competition with Other Species: The finches on each island had to compete with other bird species for resources such as food and nesting sites. The finches that were better adapted to compete with other species were more likely to survive and reproduce.
5. Environmental Changes: The finches on each island had to adapt to changes in the environment, such as changes in climate or the arrival of new predators. The finches that were better adapted to these changes were more likely to survive and reproduce.
Overall, the evolution of the Galapagos finches was shaped by a complex and interdependent web of causes and conditions, with each factor influencing and being influenced by other factors. This process led to the development of distinct finch populations on different islands, each with their own unique adaptations and characteristics.
The theory of dependent origination can also be applied to the evolution of humans, suggesting that the emergence of our species was shaped by a complex and interdependent web of causes and conditions. Here are some examples of how this theory might apply to the evolution of humans:
1. Environmental Conditions: The evolution of humans was influenced by the environmental conditions in which they lived, such as changes in climate, availability of food, and prevalence of predators. The ability of early humans to adapt to these changing conditions was crucial for their survival and allowed them to spread and diversify across different regions of the world.
2. Genetic Variation: Humans, like all species, have genetic variation, which provides the raw material for natural selection to act upon. Genetic mutations, recombination, and genetic drift all contributed to the genetic diversity of early human populations, allowing for the emergence of new traits and adaptations.
3. Cultural Evolution: Humans have also evolved culturally, developing complex social behaviors, language, and technology. These cultural adaptations have allowed humans to thrive in a wide range of environments and have played a key role in our evolutionary success.
4. Selective Pressures: The evolution of humans was shaped by various selective pressures, such as competition for resources, predation, and reproductive success. These pressures influenced the development of traits such as intelligence, bipedalism, and tool use, which have played a crucial role in the success of our species.
5. Interactions with Other Species: The evolution of humans was also influenced by our interactions with other species, such as the domestication of animals and the spread of diseases. These interactions have had a significant impact on human evolution and have played a key role in shaping our history and culture.
Overall, the theory of dependent origination suggests that the evolution of humans was shaped by a complex and interdependent web of causes and conditions, with each factor influencing and being influenced by other factors. This process led to the development of our unique characteristics and adaptations, allowing us to thrive and dominate in a wide range of environments.
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