Inclusive Fitness and Kin Selection

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

Sommario

1. Introduction; 2. What is inclusive fitness?; 3. The usefulness of inclusive fitness; 4. What is kin selection?; 5. The importance of kin selection; 6. Conclusion; References.

Riassunto

The biological world is full of phenomena that seem to run counter to Darwin's insight that natural selection can lead to the appearance of design. This Element covers the shared foundations of evolutionary explanations for several seemingly puzzling phenomena, focusing on the concepts of inclusive fitness and kin selection.

Prefazione

This Element looks at the foundations of social evolution, with focus on inclusive fitness and kin selection.

Dettagli sul prodotto

• Autori: Hannah Rubin, Hannah (University of Missouri Rubin
• Editore: Cambridge University Press ELT
• Lingue: Inglese
• Formato: Tascabile
• Pubblicazione: 31.05.2024
• EAN: 9781009011488
• ISBN: 978-1-0-0901148-8
• Pagine: 86
• Serie: Elements in the Philosophy of Biology
• Categorie: Saggistica > Filosofia, religione > Filosofia: tematiche generali, opere di consultazione; Scienze umane, arte, musica > Filosofia > Tematiche generali, enciclopedie; PHILOSOPHY / General, Philosophy, Philosophy of Science, game theory, Philosophy: metaphysics and ontology, Philosophy: epistemology and theory of knowledge, Evolutionary anthropology / Human evolution