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R.A. Fisher, indeterminism, and the fundamental theorem of natural selection.

Authors :
McLoone, Brian
Source :
Studies in History & Philosophy of Science Part A. Jun2024, Vol. 105, p120-125. 6p.
Publication Year :
2024

Abstract

This paper is about the relationship between R.A. Fisher's fundamental theorem of natural selection (FTNS) and the two major pieces that Fisher wrote on indeterminism, "Indeterminism and Natural Selection" (1934) and Creative Aspects of Natural Law (1950). I argue that the FTNS presents a picture of natural selection that is interestingly different from what we find in these two indeterminism pieces, pace some recent work that advances the opposite conclusion. I also identify as the source of this difference both the mathematical form of the FTNS (i.e., a differential equation) and Fisher's meta-scientific commitment to advancing "general" claims about evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
00393681
Volume :
105
Database :
Academic Search Index
Journal :
Studies in History & Philosophy of Science Part A
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
177757307
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.shpsa.2024.05.006