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A non-newtonian newtonian model of evolution: The ZFEL view

Publication ,  Journal Article
Brandon, RN
Published in: Philosophy of Science
January 1, 2010

Recently philosophers of biology have argued over whether or not Newtonian mechanics provides a useful analogy for thinking about evolutionary theory. For philosophers, the canonical presentation of this analogy is Sober's. Matthen and Ariew and Walsh, Lewins, and Ariew argue that this analogy is deeply wrong-headed. Here I argue that the analogy is indeed useful, however, not in the way it is usually interpreted. The Newtonian analogy depends on having the proper analogue of Newton's First Law. That analogue is what McShea and Brandon call the Zero Force Evolutionary Law (ZFEL). According to the ZFEL, change, not stasis, is the default state of evolutionary systems. Copyright 2010 by the Philosophy of Science Association. All rights reserved.

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Published In

Philosophy of Science

DOI

ISSN

0031-8248

Publication Date

January 1, 2010

Volume

77

Issue

5

Start / End Page

702 / 715

Related Subject Headings

  • Science Studies
  • 5003 Philosophy
  • 5002 History and philosophy of specific fields
  • 2203 Philosophy
  • 2202 History and Philosophy of Specific Fields
 

Citation

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Brandon, R. N. (2010). A non-newtonian newtonian model of evolution: The ZFEL view. Philosophy of Science, 77(5), 702–715. https://doi.org/10.1086/656901
Brandon, R. N. “A non-newtonian newtonian model of evolution: The ZFEL view.” Philosophy of Science 77, no. 5 (January 1, 2010): 702–15. https://doi.org/10.1086/656901.
Brandon RN. A non-newtonian newtonian model of evolution: The ZFEL view. Philosophy of Science. 2010 Jan 1;77(5):702–15.
Brandon, R. N. “A non-newtonian newtonian model of evolution: The ZFEL view.” Philosophy of Science, vol. 77, no. 5, Jan. 2010, pp. 702–15. Scopus, doi:10.1086/656901.
Brandon RN. A non-newtonian newtonian model of evolution: The ZFEL view. Philosophy of Science. 2010 Jan 1;77(5):702–715.
Journal cover image

Published In

Philosophy of Science

DOI

ISSN

0031-8248

Publication Date

January 1, 2010

Volume

77

Issue

5

Start / End Page

702 / 715

Related Subject Headings

  • Science Studies
  • 5003 Philosophy
  • 5002 History and philosophy of specific fields
  • 2203 Philosophy
  • 2202 History and Philosophy of Specific Fields