Editing Niles Eldredge (section)

===Evolutionary theory===
{{further|Punctuated equilibria}}

Eldredge and [[Stephen Jay Gould]] proposed [[punctuated equilibria]] in 1972. Punctuated equilibrium is a refinement to evolutionary theory. It describes patterns of descent taking place in "fits and starts" separated by long periods of stability.

Eldredge went on to develop a hierarchical vision of [[evolution]]ary and [[ecology|ecological]] systems. Around this time, he became focused on the rapid destruction of many of the world's habitats and species. In his book ''Unfinished Synthesis'' (1985), he proposed an [[extended evolutionary synthesis]].<ref>Vermeij, Geerat J. (1987). ''Unfinished Synthesis: Biological Hierarchies and Modern Evolutionary Thought by Niles Eldredge''. The Quarterly Review of Biology. Vol. 62, No. 1. pp. 79-80.</ref>

Throughout his career, he has used repeated patterns in the history of life to refine ideas on how the evolutionary process actually works. Eldredge is proponent of the importance of environment in explaining the patterns in evolution.

Eldredge is a critic of the [[gene-centered view of evolution]]. His most recent venture is the development of an alternative account to the gene-based notions of [[evolutionary psychology]] to explain human behavior.

He has published more than 160 scientific articles, books, and reviews, including ''Reinventing Darwin'', an examination of current controversies in evolutionary [[biology]], and ''Dominion'', a consideration of the ecological and evolutionary past, present, and future of ''[[Human|Homo sapiens]]''.

Since 2013, Eldredge has been listed on the Advisory Council of the [[National Center for Science Education]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ncse.com/about/advisory-council |title=Advisory Council |website=ncse.com |date=15 July 2008 |publisher=[[National Center for Science Education]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130810112828/https://ncse.com/about/advisory-council |archive-date=2013-08-10 |access-date=2018-10-30}}</ref>