136-307 Philosophy of Biology (Science 3)

This subject is only available to science students for credit at third year level. Students who have completed 136-207 Philosophy of Biology are not permitted to enrol in this subject. This subject is based on 136-207 but involves additional work.

Two second year HPS subjects.

Evolutionary theory has changed our thinking about the world. This class examines philosophical issues raised by the core concepts of evolutionary theory, including such concepts as teleological explanation, fitness, function, natural selection, units of selection and species. Questions to be addressed include: What is fitness? Is survival of the fittest a tautology? What is the unit of selection: the gene? the organism? the group? The class also considers what contribution evolutionary theory makes to our understanding of human and animal minds, human behavior, and ethics. Topics to be addressed here include modularity and the mental, sociobiology, and the interconnections between fact and value. On completion of the subject students should have a sophisticated understanding of theoretical issues in evolutionary biology; develop skills in critical and theoretical thinking; and be able to assess claims about the social significance of contemporary research in the biological sciences.

• develop skills in constructing and assessing the strength of arguments, identifying theoretical assumptions, and assessing conflicting argument;

• improve critical thinking and analysis skills.

Written work totalling 6000 words comprising an essay of 1500 words 25 (due mid-semester), an essay of 2000 words 35 (due at the end of semester) and an essay of 2500 words 40 (due at the end of the examination period).

A subject reader will be available for purchase from the University Bookshop.

• K Sterelny & P Griffiths, Sex and Death. University of Chicago Press 1999.