Facts, Conventions, and the Levels of Selection

Provides an original analysis of the concept of level of selection which is prominent in both biology and philosophy.

List of contents

1. Introduction; 2. The Problem of Conventionalism; 3. Existing Approaches and their Limitations; 4. Functional Units as Units of Selection; 5. Levels of Selection and Collective-level Multiplication; 6. Conclusion; Bibliography.

Summary

This Element introduces this literature and proposes a novel contribution. It defends a realist stance and offers a way of delineating genuine levels of selection by invoking the notion of a functional unit.

Product details

• Authors: Pierrick Bourrat, Pierrick (Macquarie University Bourrat
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press ELT
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 30.09.2021
• EAN: 9781009098298
• ISBN: 978-1-0-0909829-8
• No. of pages: 75
• Series: Elements in the Philosophy of Biology
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > History; Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Natural sciences (general); Non-fiction book > Philosophy, religion > Philosophy: general, reference works; History, PHILOSOPHY / General, HISTORY / General, Philosophy, SCIENCE / Philosophy & Social Aspects, Philosophy of Science