Organic Progress and Evolutionary Theory (Elements in the Philosophy of Biology)

Cesare, Silvia De

ISBN 10: 1108949495 / ISBN 13: 9781108949491

Published by Cambridge University Press, 2026

About this Item

Seller Inventory # mon0004150573

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Organic Progress and Evolutionary Theory (Elements in the Philosophy of Biology)
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication Date: 2026
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1108949495
• ISBN 13: 9781108949491
• Binding: paperback
• Condition: Very Good

About this title

Synopsis

Progress is defined as change towards the better. This definition, comprising both a descriptive and a normative element, can be applied in the organic domain to the history of living organisms. If evolutionary biologists struggle to live with organic progress, they also seem unable to live without it. Are there any theoretical arguments for using the normative terms 'good' and 'better' within evolutionary theory? How do we clarify the idea that some 'change towards the better' is conceptually implied by evolutionary theory? The author argues that there are specific kinds of value, that is, organic value, that allow us to speak meaningfully about improvements in living beings. A large part of this Element is devoted to showing how this applies to the concept of adaptation at a local scale. The final section broadens the investigation to a global scale, tentatively suggesting evolvability as a promising candidate for global progress.