Uploaded April 2024 | Updated September 2026, 2 days ago
In 1984, philosopher of science Elliott Sober in his book The Nature of Selection contended that evolution is a "theory of forces" akin to those from Newtonian mechanics. In this video, we review his thesis and its critics, evaluating evolutionary theory through the lens of philosophy.
Sources
Sober, E. (1984). The nature of selection: Evolutionary theory in philosophical focus. University of Chicago Press.
Walsh, D. M. (2007). The pomp of superfluous causes: The interpretation of evolutionary theory. Philosophy of Science, 74(3), 281-303.
Walsh, D. M., Ariew, A., & Matthen, M. (2017). Four pillars of statisticalism.
Stephens, C. (2010). Forces and causes in evolutionary theory. Philosophy of Science, 77(5), 716-727.
Stephens, C. (2004). Selection, drift, and the “forces” of evolution. Philosophy of Science, 71(4), 550-570.
Millstein, R. L. (2002). Are random drift and natural selection conceptually distinct?. Biology and Philosophy, 17, 33-53.
In 1984, philosopher of science Elliott Sober in his book The Nature of Selection contended that evolution is a "theory of forces" akin to those from Newtonian mechanics. In this video, we review his thesis and its critics, evaluating evolutionary theory through the lens of philosophy.
Sources
Sober, E. (1984). The nature of selection: Evolutionary theory in philosophical focus. University of Chicago Press.
Walsh, D. M. (2007). The pomp of superfluous causes: The interpretation of evolutionary theory. Philosophy of Science, 74(3), 281-303.
Walsh, D. M., Ariew, A., & Matthen, M. (2017). Four pillars of statisticalism.
Stephens, C. (2010). Forces and causes in evolutionary theory. Philosophy of Science, 77(5), 716-727.
Stephens, C. (2004). Selection, drift, and the “forces” of evolution. Philosophy of Science, 71(4), 550-570.
Millstein, R. L. (2002). Are random drift and natural selection conceptually distinct?. Biology and Philosophy, 17, 33-53.
