"Natural selection is responsible for some (but not all) changes in biological populations. Some traits or organisms are fitter than others, and natural selection occurs when there are changes in the distribution of traits in populations because of fitness differences. Many philosophers of biology insist that a trait's fitnesses should be defined as an average of the fitnesses of individual members of the population that have the trait. Marshall Abrams argues convincingly against this wide-spread approach. As he shows, it ...
Read More
"Natural selection is responsible for some (but not all) changes in biological populations. Some traits or organisms are fitter than others, and natural selection occurs when there are changes in the distribution of traits in populations because of fitness differences. Many philosophers of biology insist that a trait's fitnesses should be defined as an average of the fitnesses of individual members of the population that have the trait. Marshall Abrams argues convincingly against this wide-spread approach. As he shows, it 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. The assumption that a causal kind of fitness is fundamentally a property of actual individuals has resulted in unnecessary philosophical puzzles and years of debate. Abrams came to see that the fitnesses of traits that are the basis of natural selection cannot be defined in terms of fitnesses of actual members of populations in the way that philosophers of biology often claim. Rather, it is an overall population-environment system-not actual, particular organisms living in particular environmental conditions-that is the basis of traits' fitnesses. Abrams argues that by distinguishing different classes of fitness concepts and the roles they play in the practice of evolutionary biology, we can see that evolutionary biologists' diverse uses fitness concepts make sense together and are consistent with the idea that fitness differences cause evolution. Abrams's insight has broad significance, for it provides a general framework for thinking about the metaphysics of biological evolution and its relations to empirical research. As such, it is a game-changing book for philosophers of biology and applied philosophy of probability"--
Read Less
Add this copy of Evolution and the Machinery of Chance: Philosophy, to cart. $39.72, new condition, Sold by GreatBookPrices rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Columbia, MD, UNITED STATES, published 2023 by University of Chicago Press.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
New. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 304 p. Contains: Illustrations. In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
Add this copy of Evolution and the Machinery of Chance: Philosophy, to cart. $39.73, new condition, Sold by Paperbackshop rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Bensenville, IL, UNITED STATES, published 2023 by The University of Chicago Press.
Add this copy of Evolution and the Machinery of Chance: Philosophy, to cart. $46.28, new condition, Sold by Ria Christie Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Uxbridge, MIDDLESEX, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2023 by University of Chicago Press.
Add this copy of Evolution and the Machinery of Chance: Philosophy, to cart. $46.65, new condition, Sold by Kennys.ie rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Galway, IRELAND, published 2023 by University of Chicago Press.