Mayne, Zachary J. (2023) The Conceptual Foundation of the Propensity Interpretation of Fitness. [Preprint]

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Abstract

The propensity interpretation of fitness (PIF) holds that evolutionary fitness is an objectively probabilistic causal disposition (i.e., a propensity) toward reproductive success. I characterize this as the conceptual foundation of the PIF. Reproductive propensities are meant to explain trends in actual reproductive outcomes. In this paper, I analyze the minimal theoretical and ontological commitments that must accompany the explanatory power afforded by the PIF's foundation. I discuss three senses in which these commitments are less burdensome than has typically been recognized: the PIF's foundation is (i) compatible with a principled pluralism regarding the mathematical relationship between measures of individual and trait reproductive success; (ii) independent of the propensity interpretation of probability; and (iii) independent of microphysical indeterminism. The most substantive ontological commitment of the PIF's foundation is to objective modal structures wherein macrophysical probabilities and causation can be found, but I hedge against metaphysically inflationary readings of this modality.

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Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Mayne, Zachary J. zachary.mayne@pitt.edu 0000-0003-0100-0427
Keywords:	expected fitness; evolutionary explanation; objective probability; causation; modal structure
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Biology > Evolutionary Theory General Issues > Causation General Issues > Explanation
Depositing User:	Zachary Mayne
Date Deposited:	20 Nov 2023 23:54
Last Modified:	20 Nov 2023 23:54
Item ID:	22786
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Biology > Evolutionary Theory General Issues > Causation General Issues > Explanation
Date:	2023
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/22786

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