Facts, Conventions, and the Levels of Selection

Debates about the units and levels of selection have persisted for over fifty years, with questions about their objectivity. This Element introduces the literature and proposes a novel contribution by defending a realist stance and delineating genuine levels of selection through the notion of a functional unit.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 75 pages
Publication date: 23 September 2021
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Debates surrounding the units and levels of selection have endured for over fifty years, with a central question being whether these constructs are truly objective features of the natural world or merely reflections of an observer's interests and goals. Scientists and philosophers have presented a diverse array of answers to this query. This Element serves as an introduction to this literature and presents a novel contribution. It advocates for a realist perspective and proposes a method for delineating genuine levels of selection by invoking the concept of a functional unit.

The debate over the units and levels of selection has been a longstanding and contentious issue in the field of biology. On one hand, some argue that these constructs are objective and exist independently of human perception or interpretation. They claim that units and levels of selection are inherent properties of the natural world, reflecting the underlying mechanisms and processes that shape the evolution of species. On the other hand, others argue that units and levels of selection are subjective and shaped by the interests and goals of the observer. They suggest that these constructs are not inherent to the natural world but rather are created and interpreted through the lens of human science.

One of the central questions in this debate is whether units and levels of selection are genuine, in the sense that they are objective features of the natural world. Proponents of the realist stance argue that these constructs are real and exist independently of human perception or interpretation. They point to empirical evidence, such as the existence of genetic variation within populations and the observed patterns of evolution, as evidence for the existence of genuine levels of selection. These proponents argue that the study of units and levels of selection is essential for understanding the mechanisms of evolution and for developing effective conservation strategies.

On the other hand, opponents of the realist stance argue that units and levels of selection are subjective and shaped by the interests and goals of the observer. They suggest that these constructs are not inherent to the natural world but rather are created and interpreted through the lens of human science. These opponents argue that the study of units and levels of selection can be misleading and that it can lead to false conclusions about the nature of evolution. They argue that the focus on units and levels of selection can distract from the broader context of evolutionary processes and that it can lead to a reductionist view of biology, which neglects the role of cultural and environmental factors in shaping evolution.

Despite these differing perspectives, scientists and philosophers have proposed a range of answers to the question of whether units and levels of selection are genuine. Some argue that units and levels of selection are objective and exist independently of human perception or interpretation. Others argue that these constructs are subjective and shaped by the interests and goals of the observer. Still, others argue that a combination of both objective and subjective factors contributes to the study of units and levels of selection.

One approach to delineating genuine levels of selection is to invoke the concept of a functional unit. A functional unit is a group of individuals that share a common set of traits and that interact with each other to perform a specific function. For example, a population of birds that share a common habitat and a common diet may be considered a functional unit. By studying the interactions between these individuals and their environment, scientists can identify the factors that contribute to the survival and reproduction of the functional unit.

Another approach to delineating genuine levels of selection is to focus on the processes that drive evolution. These processes include genetic drift, natural selection, and gene flow

The debate over the units and levels of selection has been a longstanding and contentious issue in the field of biology. On one hand, some argue that these constructs are objective and exist independently of human perception or interpretation. They claim that units and levels of selection are inherent properties of the natural world, reflecting the underlying mechanisms and processes that shape the evolution of species. On the other hand, others argue that units and levels of selection are subjective and shaped by the interests and goals of the observer. They suggest that these constructs are not inherent to the natural world but rather are created and interpreted through the lens of human science.

One of the central questions in this debate is whether units and levels of selection are genuine, in the sense that they are objective features of the natural world. Proponents of the realist stance argue that these constructs are real and exist independently of human perception or interpretation. They point to empirical evidence, such as the existence of genetic variation within populations and the observed patterns of evolution, as evidence for the existence of genuine levels of selection. These proponents argue that the study of units and levels of selection is essential for understanding the mechanisms of evolution and for developing effective conservation strategies.

On the other hand, opponents of the realist stance argue that units and levels of selection are subjective and shaped by the interests and goals of the observer. They suggest that these constructs are not inherent to the natural world but rather are created and interpreted through the lens of human science. These opponents argue that the study of units and levels of selection can be misleading and that it can lead to false conclusions about the nature of evolution. They argue that the focus on units and levels of selection can distract from the broader context of evolutionary processes and that it can lead to a reductionist view of biology, which neglects the role of cultural and environmental factors in shaping evolution.

Despite these differing perspectives, scientists and philosophers have proposed a range of answers to the question of whether units and levels of selection are genuine. Some argue that units and levels of selection are objective and exist independently of human perception or interpretation. Others argue that these constructs are subjective and shaped by the interests and goals of the observer. Still, others argue that a combination of both objective and subjective factors contributes to the study of units and levels of selection.

One approach to delineating genuine levels of selection is to invoke the concept of a functional unit. A functional unit is a group of individuals that share a common set of traits and that interact with each other to perform a specific function. For example, a population of birds that share a common habitat and a common diet may be considered a functional unit. By studying the interactions between these individuals and their environment, scientists can identify the factors that contribute to the survival and reproduction of the functional unit.

Another approach to delineating genuine levels of selection is to focus on the processes that drive evolution. These processes include genetic drift, natural selection, and gene flow. Genetic drift is a random process that occurs when the genetic makeup of a population changes due to the random sampling of individuals from the population. It can lead to the fixation of rare alleles and the loss of common alleles, which can have significant effects on the evolution of a population. Natural selection is a process that occurs when individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce than individuals with disadvantageous traits. It can lead to the evolution of new traits and the extinction of old traits. Gene flow is the transfer of genetic material between individuals within a population. It can lead to the mixing of genetic traits and the evolution of new traits.

In conclusion, the debate over the units and levels of selection has been a longstanding and contentious issue in the field of biology. While some argue that these constructs are objective and exist independently of human perception or interpretation, others argue that they are subjective and shaped by the interests and goals of the observer. Despite these differing perspectives, scientists and philosophers have proposed a range of answers to the question of whether units and levels of selection are genuine. By invoking the concept of a functional unit and focusing on the processes that drive evolution, scientists can delineate genuine levels of selection and better understand the mechanisms of evolution. This knowledge can be used to develop effective conservation strategies and to promote the preservation of biodiversity.

Weight: 162g
Dimension: 151 x 228 x 11 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108794589
Edition number: New ed