Project 2
The EES in philosophical focus

Led by Tim Lewens, Marta Halina, Nick Hopwood, Jonathan Birch, Michael Lachmann, Patrick Bateson, Ellen Clarke, Denis Noble, John Odling-Smee, John Endler, Gerd Müller, Eva Jablonka, Kim Sterelny, Kevin Laland & Tobias Uller

This project comprises a collaboration between philosophers and biologists focussing on how the conceptual structure of evolutionary theory affects how researchers answer the big questions of evolution, for instance, concerning how fitness, adaptation and inheritance are understood. Mathematical models are being devised to help to explain evolutionary phenomena and, through the work of theoretical biologists and philosophers, this project seeks to evaluate the explanatory ability of models that make different assumptions about development and inheritance.

Publications

Niche construction and conceptual change in evolutionary biology
[download PDF]
Uller T, Helanterä H. 2017. Br J Philos Sci axx050.

Blog posts

How do living beings fulfil the conditions for evolution by natural selection?
Uller T & Helanterä H. 18 Sept 2017.
 
A TVOL interview with philosopher Kim Sterelny: A conversation about the Extended Evolutionary Synthesis
Sloan Wilson D & Sterelny K. 20 Dec 2016.