panselectionismn.
/ˌpansᵻˈlɛkʃn̩ɪz(ə)m/, /ˌpansᵻˈlɛkʃənɪz(ə)m/, U.S. /ˌpænsəˈlɛkʃəˌnɪz(ə)m/ Biology.
The theory or belief that natural selection is the chief driving force in evolution at all levels, and the main mechanism accounting for genetic and phenotypic polymorphism.
ΚΠ
1971 M. Kimura & T. Ohta in Nature 12 Feb. 469/2 We hope that..we will be able to gain deeper understanding of the mechanism of evolution at the molecular level and will be emancipated from a naive pan-selectionism.
1979 Sci. Amer. Nov. 95/3 Many evolutionary biologists found what they expected to find, and they have tended to extend panselectionism to the molecular level.
1997 N.Y. Rev. Bks. 12 June 36/1 His review of attempts by biologists to circumscribe the role of natural selection borders on a zealous defense of panselectionism.
This is a new entry (OED Third Edition, March 2005; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1971