Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 77-98 |
| Number of pages | 22 |
| Journal | Quarterly Review of Biology |
| Volume | 99 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| Early online date | 1 Mar 2023 |
| Publication status | Published - Jun 2024 |
Abstract
Ever since its inception, the theory of evolution has been reified into an “-ism”: Darwinism. Although biologists today, by and large, do not use the term “Darwinism” in their research, it still enjoys currency in broader academic and societal contexts. “Darwinian approaches” proliferate across the sciences and humanities and, in public discourse, various so-called “Darwinian views on life” are perceived to have ethically and politically laden consequences. What exactly is Darwinism, and how precisely are its non-scientific uses related to the scientific theory of evolution? Some claim the term’s meaning should be limited to scientific content, yet others call for its abolition altogether. In this paper, we propose a unified account of these varieties of Darwinism. We show how the theories introduced by Darwin have grounded a “logic” or style of reasoning about phenomena, as well as various ethically and politically charged “worldviews.” The full meaning of Darwinism, as well as how this meaning has changed over time, can only be understood through the complex interaction between these dimensions.
Keywords
- Darwinism, natural selection, science communication, Tree of Life hypothesis, values in science
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Agricultural and Biological Sciences(all)
- General Agricultural and Biological Sciences
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In: Quarterly Review of Biology, Vol. 99, No. 2, 06.2024, p. 77-98.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - The varieties od Darwinism
T2 - Explanation, logic, and worldview
AU - Desmond, Hugh
AU - Ariew, André
AU - Huneman, Philippe
AU - Reydon, Thomas
N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2024 The University of Chicago. All rights reserved.
PY - 2024/6
Y1 - 2024/6
N2 - Ever since its inception, the theory of evolution has been reified into an “-ism”: Darwinism. Although biologists today, by and large, do not use the term “Darwinism” in their research, it still enjoys currency in broader academic and societal contexts. “Darwinian approaches” proliferate across the sciences and humanities and, in public discourse, various so-called “Darwinian views on life” are perceived to have ethically and politically laden consequences. What exactly is Darwinism, and how precisely are its non-scientific uses related to the scientific theory of evolution? Some claim the term’s meaning should be limited to scientific content, yet others call for its abolition altogether. In this paper, we propose a unified account of these varieties of Darwinism. We show how the theories introduced by Darwin have grounded a “logic” or style of reasoning about phenomena, as well as various ethically and politically charged “worldviews.” The full meaning of Darwinism, as well as how this meaning has changed over time, can only be understood through the complex interaction between these dimensions.
AB - Ever since its inception, the theory of evolution has been reified into an “-ism”: Darwinism. Although biologists today, by and large, do not use the term “Darwinism” in their research, it still enjoys currency in broader academic and societal contexts. “Darwinian approaches” proliferate across the sciences and humanities and, in public discourse, various so-called “Darwinian views on life” are perceived to have ethically and politically laden consequences. What exactly is Darwinism, and how precisely are its non-scientific uses related to the scientific theory of evolution? Some claim the term’s meaning should be limited to scientific content, yet others call for its abolition altogether. In this paper, we propose a unified account of these varieties of Darwinism. We show how the theories introduced by Darwin have grounded a “logic” or style of reasoning about phenomena, as well as various ethically and politically charged “worldviews.” The full meaning of Darwinism, as well as how this meaning has changed over time, can only be understood through the complex interaction between these dimensions.
KW - Darwinism
KW - natural selection
KW - science communication
KW - Tree of Life hypothesis
KW - values in science
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85193243159&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1086/730667
DO - 10.1086/730667
M3 - Article
VL - 99
SP - 77
EP - 98
JO - Quarterly Review of Biology
JF - Quarterly Review of Biology
SN - 0033-5770
IS - 2
ER -