mechanism
—noun
1.
an assembly of moving parts performing a complete functional motion, often being part of a large machine; linkage.
2.
the agency or means by which an effect is produced or a purpose is accomplished.
3.
machinery or mechanical appliances in general.
4.
the structure or arrangement of parts of a machine or similar device, or of anything analogous.
5.
the mechanical part of something; any mechanical device: the mechanism of a clock.
6.
routine methods or procedures; mechanics: the mechanism of government.
7.
mechanical execution, as in painting or music; technique.
8.
the theory that everything in the universe is produced by matter in motion; materialism. Compare dynamism ( def. 1 ) , vitalism ( def. 1 ) .
9.
Philosophy .
a.
the view that all natural processes are explicable in terms of Newtonian mechanics.
b.
the view that all biological processes may be described in physicochemical terms.
10.
Psychoanalysis . the habitual operation and interaction of psychological forces within an individual that assist in interpreting or dealing with the physical or psychological environment.
Which of these descriptions fits the "mechanism" of natural selection that you are trying to think of?
Maybe now I see the problem. I think you may be struggling a bit with what the word "mechanism" means.
You actually believe that NS is a construct of some kind. A machine perhaps. Or a physiocochemical process.
I think what might help is if you start think of a a physicochemical process as a physicochemical process, instead of thinking of Natural Selection as a phsicochemical process.
You know, its not always appropriate to just exchange one word for another word and assume it is going to mean the same thing. That's just a tip for you. It works sometimes, but not always. Do you know what Natural Selection means?
Maybe you can draw a picture of it?
Edited by Bolder-dash, : No reason given.
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