Evolution and Development

Опубликована: Фев. 9, 2024

The intersection of development and evolution has always harbored conceptual issues, but many these are on display in contemporary evolutionary developmental biology (evo-devo). These issues include: (1) the precise constitution evo-devo, with its focus both basis evolution, how it fits within theory; (2) nature evo-devo model systems that comprise material comparative experimental research; (3) puzzle to understand widely used notion 'conserved mechanisms'; (4) definition novelties expectations for explain them; (5) demand interdisciplinary collaboration derives from investigating complex phenomena at key moments history life, such as fin-limb transition. This Element treats close attention empirical detail scientific practice offer new perspectives development. title is also available Open Access Cambridge Core.

Язык: Английский

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Slime Mould and Philosophy

Опубликована: Дек. 10, 2024

Physarum polycephalum, also known more colloquially as 'the blob', 'acellular slime mould', or just 'slime is a unicellular multinucleate protist that has continued to attract the interest of biologists over past century because its complex life cycle, unique physiology, morphology, and behaviour. More recently, attention shifted model organism for investigating putative cognitive capacities such decision making, learning, memory in organisms without nervous systems. The aim this Element illustrate how can be used valuable tool approaching various topics philosophy biology. behaviour not only pose challenge some received views biological processes but also, I shall argue, provide an opportunity clarify appropriately sharpen concepts underlying views.

Язык: Английский

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Animal Models of Human Disease

Опубликована: Апрель 17, 2024

The crucial role of animal models in biomedical research calls for philosophical investigation how and whether knowledge about human diseases can be gained by studying other species. This Element delves into the selection construction to serve as preclinical substitutes patients. It explores multifaceted roles fulfil translational boundaries between humans animals are negotiated this process. book also covers persistent challenges that have sparked debates across scientific, philosophical, public arenas regarding limitations future models. Among tensions standardization variation medicine, well strategies aiming reduce recapitulate biological complexity. Finally, examines prospects replacing with animal-free methods. demonstrates why modeling should interest philosophers, social scientists, scientists alike.

Язык: Английский

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Inclusive Fitness and Kin Selection

Опубликована: Март 29, 2024

The biological world is full of phenomena that seem to run counter Darwin's insight natural selection can lead the appearance design. For instance, why do organisms in some species divide reproductive labor? existence non-reproducing such 'eusocial' looks be at odds with an evolutionary theory which posits traits exist because they help survive and reproduce. What advantage insect being distasteful its predators? distastefulness appears designed deter predators, but only affect predator's actions when eaten; it hard see how a trait could passed on. This Element will cover shared foundations explanations for these other seemingly puzzling phenomena, focusing on concepts inclusive fitness kin selection.

Язык: Английский

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Philosophy of Physiology

Опубликована: Янв. 27, 2025

Time is ripe to complement the question 'what health and disease?' in philosophy of medicine with a 'philosophy physiology.' Indeed, actors this debate share conviction that 'foundational' concept dictates scientific field what be considered healthy or pathological leaves it explore only facts mechanisms. Rejecting presupposition, physiology accepts biomedical sciences redefine their own object: healthy, pathological. various theories disease health, philosophers have rarely studied, form core research, too hastily as science 'without theories.' The Element identifies them, clarifies content, presuppositions, scope. Finally, proposes new about unity phenomenon: not do all diseases common?' but rather, 'why susceptibility universal necessary characteristic living beings?'

Язык: Английский

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Units of Selection

Опубликована: Авг. 30, 2023

This Element introduces the Disambiguating Project (DP) about units of selection. By DP, authors mean thesis that expression 'units selection' refers to at least three non-co-extensional functional concepts: interactor, replicator/reproducer/reconstitutor, and manifestor adaptation/type-1 agent. They present each concept demonstrate necessity their isolation, because them responds a distinct question selection, these questions are not always posed in combination today's biological research. further apply framework analysis debates concerning Evolutionary Transitions Individuality (ETI) argue DP interprets ETI better than any project rejecting meanings selection.' Thus, they claim differentiation between concepts is fundamental clarify some conceptual confusions biology, which rest on conflation meanings.

Язык: Английский

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Cultural Selection

Опубликована: Июнь 3, 2024

Humans learn in ways that are influenced by others. As a result, cultural items of many types elaborated over time build on the achievements previous generations. Culture therefore shows pattern descent with modification reminiscent Darwinian evolution. This raises question whether selection-a mechanism akin to natural selection, albeit working when learned passed from demonstrators observers-can explain how various practices refined time. Element argues selection is not necessary for explanation adaptation; it hybrid explanations draw aspects and attraction theory; reproduction makes problems highly formalised approaches selection; uses case-study demonstrate importance human agency cumulative adaptation.

Язык: Английский

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Explanation in Biology

Опубликована: Янв. 16, 2025

This Element examines philosophical accounts of scientific explanation, particularly those that apply to biology and the life sciences. Two main categories explanation are examined in detail –causal explanations non-causal explanations. The first section this provides a brief history some basics on explanation. Section 2 covers causal by discussing foundational topics area, such as defining causation, selection, reductive is followed an examination distinct types including appeal mechanisms pathways, cascades. third non-causal, mathematical explanations, which have received significant attention philosophy Three discussed: topological constraint-based optimality efficiency minimal model title also available Open Access Cambridge Core.

Язык: Английский

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The Unit of Selection and the Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection Without Lineage Formation

Biological Theory, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Март 7, 2025

Язык: Английский

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Bring back the phenotype

New Phytologist, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Апрель 17, 2025

Summary When thinking about evolutionary change, many practicing biologists will focus on changes in allele frequencies over time. This gene‐centric view of evolution has strongly impacted how (and biological science general) is thought, taught, and funded. In this viewpoint, we join recent criticisms the call for reinstalling a phenotypic evolution. The assumptions view—enormous/nonstructured populations totally random interactions between genes, individuals, environments—are hard to imagine real world. A gene's effects phenotype fitness depend its with other genes (epistasis), microbiome, environment, it generations, populations, environments. Incorrectly, have been given an agency role natural selection that they do not possess: replicate, but variation or differential proliferation through their traits (these are characteristics units deemed ‘interactors’). Here, show necessary capture several widespread phenomena: epistasis, nongenetic inheritance, multilevel selection, niche construction plant–soil feedbacks, all which vast empirical evidence. Life marvelous, complex, certainly more than machinery genetic information.

Язык: Английский

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