Jim Rutt defines 'evolution' as the dynamic process through which populations of organisms undergo genetic change across successive generations, leading to the diversification of life forms over time. He views evolution not merely as a historical record but as an ongoing, algorithmic process driven by variation, heredity, and natural selection. Rutt emphasizes the significance of evolutionary mechanisms such as mutation, genetic drift, and gene flow, which collectively produce the tapestry of biological complexity observed in nature. For him, evolution is a fundamental principle that explains the adaptability and fitness of species in ever-changing environments, underscoring the interconnectedness of all living beings in the web of life.

See also: abiogenesis, cultural evolution, evolutionary psychology, evolutionary computing, origin of life