The Propensity Interpretation of Fitness
The concept of "fitness" is a notion of central importance to evolutionary theory. Yet the interpretation of this concept and its role in explanations of evolutionary phenomena have remained obscure. We provide a propensity interpretation of fitness, which we argue captures the intended re...
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| Veröffentlicht in: | Philosophy of science 1979-06, Vol.46 (2), p.263-286 |
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| container_title | Philosophy of science |
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| creator | Mills, Susan K. Beatty, John H. |
| description | The concept of "fitness" is a notion of central importance to evolutionary theory. Yet the interpretation of this concept and its role in explanations of evolutionary phenomena have remained obscure. We provide a propensity interpretation of fitness, which we argue captures the intended reference of this term as it is used by evolutionary theorists. Using the propensity interpretation of fitness, we provide a Hempelian reconstruction of explanations of evolutionary phenomena, and we show why charges of circularity which have been levelled against explanations in evolutionary theory are mistaken. Finally, we provide a definition of natural selection which follows from the propensity interpretation of fitness, and which handles all the types of selection discussed by biologists, thus improving on extant definitions. |
| doi_str_mv | 10.1086/288865 |
| format | Article |
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Finally, we provide a definition of natural selection which follows from the propensity interpretation of fitness, and which handles all the types of selection discussed by biologists, thus improving on extant definitions.</description><subject>Biological evolution</subject><subject>Biology</subject><subject>Descendants</subject><subject>Ecological competition</subject><subject>Evolution</subject><subject>Evolutionary theories</subject><subject>Genotypes</subject><subject>Natural selection</subject><subject>Phenotypic traits</subject><subject>Reproductive success</subject><issn>0031-8248</issn><issn>1539-767X</issn><fulltext>true</fulltext><rsrctype>article</rsrctype><creationdate>1979</creationdate><recordtype>article</recordtype><sourceid>K30</sourceid><recordid>eNpF0MFKxDAQBuAgCq6rvoCXgiBeqpkkTaZHWXZ1YUEPK3gL3XSKLdrUJHvYt7dLBU9z-eaf4WfsGvgDcNSPAhF1ccJmUMgyN9p8nLIZ5xJyFArP2UWMHecAyHHG7reflL0FP1Af23TI1n2iMARKVWp9n_kmW7Wppxgv2VlTfUW6-ptz9r5abhcv-eb1eb142uROaJNyRcJgqU1tdk4aAQ3WWjtHDgpHui4LblyjhKwUl0qjBHJS1Yb0DkThHMg5u51yh-B_9hST7fw-9ONJC6I8boyfj-puUi74GAM1dgjtdxUOFrg9tmCnFkZ4M8EuJh_-FRquUP4CGq5Vxw</recordid><startdate>19790601</startdate><enddate>19790601</enddate><creator>Mills, Susan K.</creator><creator>Beatty, John H.</creator><general>Philosophy of Science Association</general><general>Michigan State University, Dept. of Philosophy</general><scope>AAYXX</scope><scope>CITATION</scope><scope>FIXVA</scope><scope>FKUCP</scope><scope>IOIBA</scope><scope>K30</scope><scope>PAAUG</scope><scope>PAWHS</scope><scope>PAWZZ</scope><scope>PAXOH</scope><scope>PBHAV</scope><scope>PBQSW</scope><scope>PBYQZ</scope><scope>PCIWU</scope><scope>PCMID</scope><scope>PCZJX</scope><scope>PDGRG</scope><scope>PDWWI</scope><scope>PETMR</scope><scope>PFVGT</scope><scope>PGXDX</scope><scope>PIHIL</scope><scope>PISVA</scope><scope>PJCTQ</scope><scope>PJTMS</scope><scope>PLCHJ</scope><scope>PMHAD</scope><scope>PNQDJ</scope><scope>POUND</scope><scope>PPLAD</scope><scope>PQAPC</scope><scope>PQCAN</scope><scope>PQCMW</scope><scope>PQEME</scope><scope>PQHKH</scope><scope>PQMID</scope><scope>PQNCT</scope><scope>PQNET</scope><scope>PQSCT</scope><scope>PQSET</scope><scope>PSVJG</scope><scope>PVMQY</scope><scope>PZGFC</scope></search><sort><creationdate>19790601</creationdate><title>The Propensity Interpretation of Fitness</title><author>Mills, Susan K. ; 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| fulltext | fulltext |
| identifier | ISSN: 0031-8248 |
| ispartof | Philosophy of science, 1979-06, Vol.46 (2), p.263-286 |
| issn | 0031-8248 1539-767X |
| language | eng |
| recordid | cdi_proquest_journals_1296831118 |
| source | Periodicals Index Online; Jstor Complete Legacy |
| subjects | Biological evolution Biology Descendants Ecological competition Evolution Evolutionary theories Genotypes Natural selection Phenotypic traits Reproductive success |
| title | The Propensity Interpretation of Fitness |
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