Three Kinds of Adaptationism

摘要: Debate about adaptationism in biology continues, part because within “the” problem of assessing adaptationism, three distinct problems are mixed together. The concern the assessment adaptationist positions, each which asserts central importance adaptation and natural selection to study evolution but conceives this a different way. As there kinds “antiadaptationist” positions as well. Or putting it more formally, dimensions here, strongly views, antiadaptationist moderate views possible for dimension. Understanding distinctions between will not remove all controversy, some progress can be made through clarifying distinctions. In particular, by recognizing that evidence against one kind need also other kinds. So main aims chapter classification clarification. I describe then discuss relevant one. try say might solved directly empirical research, philosophical character. A STATEMENT OF THE DISTINCTIONS Here recognize: explanatory methodological adaptationism. Empirical Adaptationism : Natural is powerful ubiquitous force, few constraints, except general obvious ones, on biological variation fuels it. To large degree, predict explain outcome evolutionary processes attending only role played selection. No factor has degree causal importance.