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The Units of Selection Revisited: The Modules of Selection

Publication ,  Journal Article
Brandon, RN
Published in: Biology and Philosophy
January 1, 1999

Richard Lewontin's (1970) early work on the "units" of selection initiated the conceptual and theoretical investigations that have led to the hierarchical perspective on selection that has reached near consensus status today. This paper explores other aspects of his work, work on what he termed "continuity" and "quasi-independence", that connect to contemporary explorations of modularity in development and evolution. I characterize such modules and argue that they are the true units of selection in that they are what evolution by natural selection individuates, selects among, and transforms.

Duke Scholars

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Published In

Biology and Philosophy

DOI

ISSN

0169-3867

Publication Date

January 1, 1999

Volume

14

Issue

2

Start / End Page

167 / 180

Related Subject Headings

  • Science Studies
  • 52 Psychology
  • 50 Philosophy and religious studies
  • 31 Biological sciences
  • 22 Philosophy and Religious Studies
  • 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences
  • 06 Biological Sciences
 

Citation

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Brandon, R. N. (1999). The Units of Selection Revisited: The Modules of Selection. Biology and Philosophy, 14(2), 167–180. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1006682200831
Brandon, R. N. “The Units of Selection Revisited: The Modules of Selection.” Biology and Philosophy 14, no. 2 (January 1, 1999): 167–80. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1006682200831.
Brandon RN. The Units of Selection Revisited: The Modules of Selection. Biology and Philosophy. 1999 Jan 1;14(2):167–80.
Brandon, R. N. “The Units of Selection Revisited: The Modules of Selection.” Biology and Philosophy, vol. 14, no. 2, Jan. 1999, pp. 167–80. Scopus, doi:10.1023/A:1006682200831.
Brandon RN. The Units of Selection Revisited: The Modules of Selection. Biology and Philosophy. 1999 Jan 1;14(2):167–180.
Journal cover image

Published In

Biology and Philosophy

DOI

ISSN

0169-3867

Publication Date

January 1, 1999

Volume

14

Issue

2

Start / End Page

167 / 180

Related Subject Headings

  • Science Studies
  • 52 Psychology
  • 50 Philosophy and religious studies
  • 31 Biological sciences
  • 22 Philosophy and Religious Studies
  • 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences
  • 06 Biological Sciences