ISSN:
1572-8404
Keywords:
adaptation
;
optimization
;
fitness
;
functional
;
historical
;
evolutionary explanation
;
Wright
;
Millikan
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Philosophy
Notes:
Abstract The purely theoretical notion of fitness or optimality that is employed for instance in optimization theory has come under attack from those who think that only a more historically based notion of fitness could have a central role in evolutionary explanation. They argue that the key notion is proven usefulness rather than theoretical usefulness. This paper articulates a notion of theoretical usefulness and defends its role in functional evolutionary explanations.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1006523004188
Permalink