The role of information in evolutionary biology

Dickins, Thomas E. (2023) The role of information in evolutionary biology. Acta Biotheoretica, 71 (3). ISSN 0001-5342

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Abstract

The Modern Synthesis has received criticism for its purported gene-centrism. That criticism relies on a concept of the gene as a unit of instructional information. In this paper I discuss information concepts and endorse one, developed from Floridi, that sees information as a functional relationship between data and context. I use this concept to inspect developmental criticisms of the Modern Synthesis and argue that the instructional gene arose as an idealization practice when evolutionary biologists made comment on development. However, a closer inspection of key claims shows that at least some associated with the Modern Synthesis were in fact adopting the data led definition I favour and made clear arguments for the role of developmental processes beyond genetic input. There was no instructional gene.

Item Type:	Article
Official URL:	https://www.springer.com/journal/10441
Additional Information:	© 2023 The Author(s).
Divisions:	CPNSS
Subjects:	Q Science > QH Natural history > QH301 Biology Q Science > QA Mathematics G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > B Philosophy (General)
Date Deposited:	01 Jun 2023 11:36
Last Modified:	15 Apr 2024 18:15
URI:	http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/119297

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