> Darwinism isn't an optimisation algorithm. A set of circumstances that were favourable for survival with a particular trait may not necessarily be favourable

> Darwinism isn't an optimisation algorithm. A set of circumstances that were favourable for survival with a particular trait may not necessarily be favourable in the future. While agreeing with the thrust of your post, personally I think that Darwinism is a form of optimization, but the mild confusion around Darwinism that you're describing is a confusion about what that system optimizes for. Darwinism optimizes for survival in the specific environment and circumstance, and plays out over time. Darwinism does not optimize for "best" or "strongest" or the "mightiest".