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Drift and Evolutionary Forces

Luque, Víctor (2016) Drift and Evolutionary Forces. THEORIA. An International Journal for Theory, History and Foundations of Science, 31 (3). pp. 397-410. ISSN 2171-679X

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Abstract

This article analyzes the view of evolutionary theory as a theory of forces. The analogy with Newtonian mechanics has been challenged due to the mismatch between drift and the other evolutionary forces. Genetic drift and its lack of direction has done that several authors tried to minimize or to protect its status as a force. I argue that the attempts to maintain drift as a force, in a strong manner, are not fully successful. I also show how historical and theoretical reasons explain why the Newtonian analogy arose, insofar as it is helpful in revealing the causal structure of evolutionary theory.


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Item Type: Published Article or Volume
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCID
Luque, Víctorvictor.luque@uv.es
Additional Information: ISSN: 0495-4548 (print)
Keywords: Evolutionary forces, drift, Newtonian analogy, theoretical structure, difference maker
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Biology > Evolutionary Theory
Depositing User: Unnamed user with email theoria@ehu.es
Date Deposited: 18 Nov 2016 23:36
Last Modified: 18 Nov 2016 23:36
Item ID: 12641
Journal or Publication Title: THEORIA. An International Journal for Theory, History and Foundations of Science
Publisher: Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea / Universidad del País Vasco
Official URL: http://www.ehu.eus/ojs/index.php/THEORIA/article/v...
DOI or Unique Handle: 10.1387/theoria.14943
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Biology > Evolutionary Theory
Date: 1 September 2016
Page Range: pp. 397-410
Volume: 31
Number: 3
ISSN: 2171-679X
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/12641

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