Thinking about evolutionary mechanisms: natural selection.
This paper explores whether natural selection, a putative evolutionary mechanism, and a main one at that, can be characterized on either of the two dominant conceptions of mechanism, due to Glennan and the team of Machamer, Darden, and Craver, that constitute the new mechanistic philosophy'. The results of the analysis are that neither of the dominant conceptions of mechanism adequately captures natural selection. Nevertheless, the new mechanistic philosophy possesses the resources for an understanding of natural selection under the rubric.
Skipper
Robert A
RA
Department of Philosophy, ML 0374, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221-0374, USA. robert.skipper@uc.edu
Millstein
Roberta L
RL
D005075:Biological Evolution; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D010684:Philosophy / Q000266:history*; D012586:Science / Q000266:history*; D012641:Selection, Genetic