What Defines Something as More Evolved: An Evolutionary Perspective

There is no such thing as ‘more evolved.’ Every organism alive today is the product of exactly as much evolutionary time as you. Perhaps you mean ‘more complex.’ This article aims to clarify the concept of evolution and the misconceptions that often surround the idea of ‘more evolved.’

Evolutionary Perspective

Evolution does not imply a linear progression toward a goal or direction. It is a process that has shaped the diversity of life on Earth over billions of years. The term ‘more evolved’ is often misused and does not accurately reflect the true nature of evolution. Evolution is not a simple linear path, but rather a complex interplay of adaptation, survival, and reproduction.

Adaptation and Complexity

An organism may be considered highly adapted if it is well-suited to its environment. Adaptation does not necessarily correlate with complexity. While some organisms like humans exhibit complex behaviors and structures, many simpler organisms are highly successful in their niches and have existed for millions of years without significant change. This highlights that complexity is not a definitive factor in the success or ‘evolutionary advancement’ of an organism.

Survival and Reproduction

Evolution is primarily about survival and reproductive success. A species that is well-adapted to its environment regardless of its perceived complexity can be considered highly evolved. Survival of the fittest is a phrase often misused to imply that only the most complex organisms survive. In reality, simple organisms can thrive just as well as complex ones, depending on their environment and the challenges they face.

Misconceptions

It is important to recognize that no species is inherently more evolved than another. Evolution is a continuous and branching process, not a ladder. Each organism has its unique place in the ecosystem and has contributed to the diversity of life on Earth. The concept of being more or less evolved is subjective and can lead to harmful biases.

Two Types of Evolution

There are two primary types of evolution: physical and spiritual. Most discussions about evolution focus on physical evolution, which involves changes in the physical characteristics of organisms. However, spiritual evolution refers to the evolution of consciousness and awareness of an organism's relationship to its environment and fellow beings.

Conscious Awareness and Spiritual Evolution

Spiritual evolution occurs when a being becomes more consciously aware of its relationship to its environment, particularly with other beings. Low evolved beings tend to struggle clumsily in their interactions, whereas more evolved beings are better at resonating with others and leaving a legacy of unity, peace, and constructive relationships.

Examples of Spiritual Evolution

Given enough lifetimes worth of experience, a soul can reach a high level of enlightenment. The example provided of Lincoln and Mussolini illustrates this point. At the soul level, Lincoln and Mussolini are not inherently better or superior to one another. Lincoln was simply more evolved due to more experience and made better choices. Mussolini’s soul will eventually reach the level of enlightenment Lincoln achieved but, in the meantime, it would be better for the planet that he does not hold political positions that require high consciousness.

In summary, rather than thinking of evolution as a hierarchy with some species more evolved than others, we should recognize the diversity and complexity of life and the importance of spiritual awareness in defining an organism's evolution.

Keywords: evolution, complex organisms, spiritual evolution