Rethinking the Structure of Evolutionary Theory for an Extended Synthesis
Rethinking the Structure of Evolutionary Theory for an Extended Synthesis
This chapter describes the theoretical implications of Extended Synthesis and addresses the methodological options available for determining aspects of theoretical structure. It uses a “bottom-up” approach focused on evolutionary theory in particular, as opposed to a “top-down” strategy that attempts to characterize the structure of all scientific theories. The chapter shows that there are multiple stable components contained within a broad representation of evolutionary theory. It suggests that the philosophical analysis offered in the chapter regarding the structure of evolutionary theory assists attempts to recover coherence through the vehicle of an Extended Synthesis.
Keywords: evolutionary theory, Extended Synthesis, bottom-up approach, philosophical analysis, theoretical structure
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