Pence, Charles H. and Swaim, Daniel G. (2017) The Economy of Nature: The Structure of Evolution in Linnaeus, Darwin, and Toward the Extended Synthesis. [Preprint]

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Abstract

We argue that the economy of nature constitutes an invocation of structure in the biological sciences, one largely missed by philosophers of biology despite the turn in recent years toward structural explanations throughout the philosophy of science. We trace a portion of the history of this concept, beginning with the theologically and economically grounded work of Linnaeus, moving through Darwin’s adaptation of the economy of nature, its reconceptualization in genetic terms during the Modern Synthesis, and concluding with the prospects for its reunion with broader ecological themes in a potential, future Extended Synthesis. This structural element has thus been preserved across changes between theories radically different in their ontological, methodological and philosophical commitments, and offers us an exciting focal point for investigating the development of biological theory over the last three centuries.

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Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Pence, Charles H. charles@charlespence.net 0000-0002-6836-6047 Swaim, Daniel G. dswaim@sas.upenn.edu
Keywords:	economy of nature; Carl Linnaeus; Charles Darwin; Sewall Wright; Ernst Mayr; extended synthesis; ecology; eco-evo-devo
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Biology > Evolutionary Theory Specific Sciences > Biology > Molecular Biology/Genetics General Issues > History of Philosophy of Science General Issues > History of Science Case Studies
Depositing User:	Charles H. Pence
Date Deposited:	25 Feb 2017 15:56
Last Modified:	25 Feb 2017 15:56
Item ID:	12842
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Biology > Evolutionary Theory Specific Sciences > Biology > Molecular Biology/Genetics General Issues > History of Philosophy of Science General Issues > History of Science Case Studies
Date:	22 February 2017
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/12842

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• The Economy of Nature: The Structure of Evolution in Linnaeus, Darwin, and Toward the Extended Synthesis. (deposited 25 Feb 2017 15:56) [Currently Displayed]
  • The Economy of Nature: The Structure of Evolution in Linnaeus, Darwin, and Toward the Extended Synthesis. (deposited 28 May 2021 01:43)

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