Dickins, Thomas (2023) The role of information in evolutionary biology. [Preprint]

Text Dickins Information in Evolutionary Biology Accepted Preprint Acta Biotheoretica.docx Download (102kB)

Abstract

The Modern Synthesis has received criticism for its purported gene-centrism. That criticism relies on a concept of the gene as a unit of instructional information. In this paper I discuss information concepts and endorse one, developed from Floridi, that sees information as a functional relationship between data and context. I use this concept to inspect developmental criticisms of the Modern Synthesis and argue that the instructional gene arose as an idealization practice when evolutionary biologists made comment on development. However, a closer inspection of key claims shows that at least some associated with the Modern Synthesis were in fact adopting the data led definition I favour and made clear arguments for the role of developmental processes beyond genetic input. There was no instructional gene.

---

Export/Citation:

EndNote | BibTeX | Dublin Core | ASCII/Text Citation (Chicago) | HTML Citation | OpenURL

Social Networking:

Share |

---

Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Dickins, Thomas E. 0000-0002-5788-0948
Keywords:	gene centrism, DNA, information, data, developmental program, reaction norms, evo-devo
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Biology > Evolutionary Theory
Depositing User:	Professor Tom Dickins
Date Deposited:	02 May 2023 12:32
Last Modified:	02 May 2023 12:32
Item ID:	22033
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Biology > Evolutionary Theory
Date:	2 May 2023
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/22033

Monthly Views for the past 3 years

Monthly Downloads for the past 3 years

Plum Analytics

Actions (login required)

View Item