Plutynski, A (2005) What was Fisher’s fundamental theorem of natural selection and what was it for? [Preprint]

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Abstract

Fisher’s ‘fundamental theorem of natural selection’ is notoriously abstract, and, no less notoriously, many take it to be false. In this paper, I explicate the theorem, examine the role that it played in Fisher’s general project for biology, and analyze why it was so very fundamental for Fisher. I defend Ewens (1989) and Lessard (1997) in the view that the theorem is in fact a true theorem if, as Fisher claimed, ‘the terms employed’ are ‘used strictly as defined’ (1930, p. 38). Finally, I explain
the role that projects such as Fisher’s play in the progress of scientific inquiry.

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Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Plutynski, A aplutyns@wustl.edu
Keywords:	natural selection, evolution, R. A. Fisher, genetic variance, evolutionary theory
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Biology > Evolutionary Theory General Issues > Laws of Nature General Issues > Models and Idealization
Depositing User:	A Plutynski
Date Deposited:	13 Nov 2018 00:38
Last Modified:	13 Nov 2018 00:38
Item ID:	15310
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Biology > Evolutionary Theory General Issues > Laws of Nature General Issues > Models and Idealization
Date:	2005
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/15310

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