A Lamarckian Evolution Strategy for Genetic Algorithms
Brian Ross · 1998
A Prolog implementation of a simple Lamarckian evolution module for genetic algorithms is discussed. Lamarckian evolution posits that characteristics acquired during a phenotype's lifetime may be inherited by offspring. Although largely dismissed as a viable evolutionary theory for natural systems, Lamarckian evolution has proven effective within computer applications. The strengths of the implementation discussed here are its speed and simplicity -- the latter promoting extensibility and specialization to particular applications. 1. Introduction Prior to Charles Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection, Jean Baptiste Lamarck (1744-1829) proposed a multifaceted theory of evolution [Dawkins 1996, Gould 1980, Cochrane 1997]. One aspect of his theory is the notion that characteristics acquired by an organism during its lifetime are inheritable by its offspring. Lamarck proposed this as the means by which organisms passed on specialized traits for surviving in the environment, a...