Abstract

Adaptive optimization of cellular automata is explored as a minimal model of biological evolution. The rules for the cellular automata correspond to genotypes; the patterns generated to phenotypes. Successive point mutations are applied to the rules, being kept when they do not decrease fitness (such as lifetime of finite patterns). Complex phenotypes are produced, and many phenomena familiar from biological evolution are seen. The models are minimal enough to allow complete studies of the space of possible evolution paths.

Cite this publication as:
S. Wolfram, “Why Does Biological Evolution Work? A Minimal Model for Biological Evolution and Other Adaptive Processes,” Complex Systems, 33(4), 2025 pp. 387–488.
https://doi.org/10.25088/ComplexSystems.33.4.387