Cover

Half-title

Series-title

Title

Copyright

Dedication

Contents

List of Tables and Figures

TABLES

FIGURES

Preface and Acknowledgments

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

1 Introduction

PART I: COMPLEXITY

A. Compositional Complexity

B. Complex Dynamics

C. Evolved Diversity of Populations

PART II. PLURALISM

I Complexity

2 Constitutive Complexity

2.1. COMPOSITIONAL COMPLEXITY AND THE SUPERORGANISM METAPHOR

Introduction

The Superorganism

Critical Theory of Metaphors

The “Revived” Superorganism

The Variety of Functional Organization in Social Insects

Insect Colonies as Dynamical Complex Systems

Functional or Apparently Functional?

Direct versus Indirect Selection

Selection versus Spontaneous Order

Toward a Dynamical Model for Hierarchically Organized Complex Systems

Conclusion

3 Dynamic Complexity

3.1. THE EVOLUTION OF DIVISION OF LABOR

Introduction

The Model

Simulation Events

Case 1: Variable Data Sampling…

Case 2: Variable Sampling…

Case 3: Variable Threshold Distributions, Random Sampling, N = 100, S = N

Case 4: Variable Stimulus Level, Variable Threshold Distribution, Random Sampling, S = N

Case 5: Two Tasks, Two Thresholds, Two Stimuli

Discussion

Natural Selection Operates on Parameters of Complex Dynamical Systems

Conclusions

4 Evolved Diversity

4.1. COMPETING UNITS OF SELECTION? A CASE OF SYMBIOSIS

The Process of Evolution by Natural Selection

Dawkins and Brandon on Evolution by Natural Selection

What’s in a Unit?

The Unit of Adaptation

Identifying Adaptive Traits

4.2. THE UNITS OF BEHAVIOR IN EVOLUTIONARY EXPLANATIONS

Causal Explanation in Evolutionary Biology

Individuating Behaviors

From Genes to Behavior

Classifications of Similarity

The Case of Rape

4.3. ON BIOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS

Setting the Stage

Natural Functions and Social Functions

Malfunction and the Problem of Doubles

Biological Fitness Analogy

The Disposition Argument

The Problem Shift

Compatibility of Etiologies and Dispositions

Conclusion

II Pluralism

5 Laws

5.1. PRAGMATIC LAWS

Introduction

The Normative Strategy

The Paradigmatic Strategy

The Pragmatic Strategy

5.2. DIMENSIONS OF SCIENTIFIC LAW

Introduction

Normative and Pragmatic Strategies

Traditional Normative Approaches

Biological Laws and the Continuum of Contingency

The Pragmatic Strategy

5.3. CONTINGENT GENERALIZATIONS: LESSONS FROM BIOLOGY

Introduction

Types of Contingency

Multilevel, Multicomponent Systems: The Case of Division of Labor

Conclusion

5.4. CETERIS PARIBUS: AN INADEQUATE REPRESENTATION FOR BIOLOGICAL CONTINGENCY

Introduction

Complexity

Contingency

Complexity and Contingency

The Philosophical Consequences

6 Pluralism or Disunity

6.1. CRITICS OF UNITY OF SCIENCE

Why Reductionism Is Compelling

Why Reductionism Doesn’t Capture the Realities of Scientific Inquiry

Alternatives to Reductionism: Types of Pluralism

Integrative Pluralism

6.2. ON PLURALISM AND COMPETITION IN EVOLUTIONARY EXPLANATIONS

Introduction

Origin of the Problem

Developmental Challenge

Levels of Analysis

Idealized Causal Processes

Pluralism or Competition?

6.3. INTEGRATIVE PLURALISM

Competitive versus Compatible Alternatives

The Case of Division of Labor

Integrative Pluralism

Conclusion

References

Index