Evolution as Natural History: A Philosophical Analysis

by Wim J. Van Der Steen

Wim van der Steen charts conceptual foundations of evolutionary biology and, on the basis of this, he evaluates applications of evolutionary theory outside biology. Philosophical analysis shows that key notions of the theory such as fitness, adaptation, selection, and optimality are empty place-holder concepts that call for context-dependent specifications of meaning. For example, as he points out, the notion of optimality is empty without a specification...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0275968707
• ISBN13: 9780275968700
• Release Date: June 2000
• Publisher: Praeger
• Length: 200 Pages
• Weight: 0.99 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.3" x 9.6"