Evolution and the Machinery of Chance: Philosophy, Probability, and Scientific Practice in Biology

Fitness is an essential concept in evolutionary theory, but philosophers of biology often define it as an average of the fitnesses of individual members of the population. Marshall Abrams argues that this approach conflicts with the roles that fitness is supposed to play in evolutionary theory and with the ways that evolutionary biologists use fitness concepts in empirical research. He suggests that the fitnesses of traits that are the basis of natural selection cannot be defined in terms of the fitnesses of actual members of populations, but rather an overall population-environment system. This insight has broad significance for thinking about the metaphysics of biological evolution and its relations to empirical research.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 08 June 2023
Publisher: The University of Chicago Press

Fitness concepts play a crucial role in evolutionary theory, shaping the dynamics of biological populations. Natural selection, driven by fitness differences, leads to changes in the distribution of traits within populations. Philosophers of biology often define fitness as the average of the fitnesses of individual members of the population possessing a particular trait. However, Marshall Abrams challenges this conventional view, arguing that it conflicts with the roles fitness is supposed to play in evolutionary theory and the ways evolutionary biologists employ fitness concepts in empirical research.

Abrams suggests that the fitnesses of traits that underlie natural selection cannot be defined solely in terms of the fitnesses of actual individuals within populations. Instead, he proposes that trait fitnesses are better understood as properties of an overall population-environment system, encompassing not just individual organisms but the dynamic interactions between them and their environment. By distinguishing different classes of fitness concepts and their respective roles, Abrams reveals that evolutionary biologists' diverse uses of fitness concepts cohere and are consistent with the idea that fitness differences drive evolution.

Abrams' insight holds significant implications for understanding the metaphysics of biological evolution and its relationship to empirical research. It challenges the notion that fitness can be reduced to the average of individual fitnesses and emphasizes the broader context in which traits evolve. This perspective provides a framework for analyzing the diversity of fitness concepts employed by evolutionary biologists and their contributions to our understanding of evolution.

In conclusion, fitness concepts play a vital role in evolutionary theory, shaping the dynamics of biological populations and driving the process of evolution. Marshall Abrams' innovative view challenges the conventional understanding of fitness and highlights the importance of considering the broader population-environment system in which traits evolve. By recognizing the diversity of fitness concepts and their roles, we can better appreciate the complexities of biological evolution and the insights that evolutionary biologists have gained through their empirical research.

Dimension: 229 x 152 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780226826639