Science and Selection: Essays on Biological Evolution and the Philosophy of Science

Description

One way to understand science is as a selection process. David Hull, one of the dominant figures in contemporary philosophy of science, sets out in this volume a general analysis of this selection process that applies equally to biological evolution, the reaction of the immune system to antigens, operant learning, and social and conceptual change in science. Science and Selection brings together many of Hull's most important essays on selection (some never before published) in one accessible volume. "Part One focuses on selection in biological evolution. Part Two contains essays that treat science itself as a selection process. Hull explores questions such as: How are scientists able to cooperate so extensively in such competitive situations, why are scientists so much better than members of other professions at policing themselves, and how come science is so clearly progressive? The answers given to these questions are intended to be themselves scientific. Hence anything that Hull's theory implies about scientific theories as such should apply to his theory as well. In Part Three, Hull examines the testing of our views about science, arguing that if testing plays such a crucial role in other areas of science, then it must play the same role in the study of science. Science and Selection brings together David Hull's important essays on selection (some never before published) in one accessible volume. It will be of interest to students and professionals in philosophy of science and evolutionary biology, and any others interested in the study of science." - Introduction PART I: SELECTION IN BIOLOGICAL EVOLUTION 1. Interactors versus Vehicles -- Replicators and Interactors -- Conceptual Evolution: Replication -- Conceptual Evolution: Interaction 2. Taking Vehicles Seriously 3. "A General Account of Selection: Biology, Immunology, and Behavior", with Rodney E. Langman and Sigrid S. Glenn -- Introduction -- A Brief Characterization of Selection -- Selection in Biological Evolution -- Somatic Selection in the Immune System -- Operant Selection -- Conclusion PART II: SELECTION IN THE EVOLUTION OF SCIENCE 4. "A Mechanism and Its Metaphysics: An Evolutionary Account of the Social and Conceptual Development of Science" -- Conceptual Inclusive Fitness -- Selection Processes -- The Role of Individuality in Selection -- Science as a Selection Process -- Disanalogies between Biological and Conceptual Evolution -- Conceptual Interaction -- The Type Specimen Method of Reference -- Conclusion 5. Why Scientists Behave Scientifically 6. What's Wrong with Invisible-Hand Explanations? -- Introduction -- Invisible-Hand Explanations in Their Causal Context -- A Social Structure of Science -- Invisible-Hand Explanations in Science -- Conclusion PART III: TESTING OUR VIEWS ABOUT SCIENCE 7. A Function for Actual Examples in Philosophy of Science -- Thought Experiments in Science -- Thought Experiments in Philosophy of Science -- Conclusion 8. The Evolution of Conceptual Systems in Science -- Models of Conceptual Selection in Science -- Gathering Data to Test Models of Science -- The Demic Structure of Science -- Conclusion 9. Testing Philosophical Claims about Science -- Testing Meta-Level Claims -- Idealizations -- Studying Science -- Operationalizing in the Study of Science -- Normative Claims about Science 10. That Just Don't Sound Right: A Plea for Real Examples -- Biological Species -- Natural Kinds -- Conclusion 11. Studying the Study of Science Scientifically -- Planck's Principle -- Birth Order and Science -- The Role of Novel Predictions in Science -- Conclusion - References - Index