A Darwinian Demon is a hypothetical organism that can maximize all aspects of fitness simultaneously and would exist if the evolution of species was entirely unconstrained. Such organisms would reproduce directly after being born, produce infinitely many offspring, and live indefinitely. Even though no such organisms exist, biologists use Darwinian Demons in thought experiments to understand different life history strategies among different organisms.
Famous quotes containing the words darwinian and/or demon:
“While Darwinian Man, though well-behaved,
At best is only a monkey shaved!”
—Sir William Schwenck Gilbert (1836–1911)
“Lucifer also has died with God, and from his ashes has arisen a spiteful demon who does not even understand the object of his venture.”
—Albert Camus (1913–1960)