What would an evolutionary icon look like?

This response submitted by Kristin McCartney (simpleselma@hotmail.com) at 11:04 pm on 3/21/01. Additions were last made on Sunday, March 25, 2001. Section: Myers.

I'm not sure what an evolutionary icon would look like, so personally I would have difficulty judging Hindu or Christian icons in that context. This may be displaying my ignorance, but many non-western religions seem to have a system of iconography similar to what you are describing above-- an iconography that strongly features our physical needs/desires/threats personified via the important local flora and fauna. Takes me back to paganism. But this seems to display a connection with the biological world, that may or may not evoke the tenants of evolutionary theory. Appreciating ourselves as animals and as part of the natural world may be a necessary premise for understanding the principles of evolutionary theory, but may not be sufficient to actually evoke a symbolic understanding of evolution unless it is connected with the notion of a constantly changing and adaptive world. If I were to choose an icon it would be the Trickster, who flourishes by ruthlessly exploiting the niches and opportunities that arise.


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