Explanation in Classical Population Genetics

Bibliographic Data

ID10705279
AuthorsAntoni Plutynski (0000-0003-3791-7720, University of Utah, corresponding author), Anya Plutynski
Year2004
Volume71
Issue5
Pages1201-1214
Publication date2004-12-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePhilosophy of Science (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0031-8248 • E-ISSN: 1539-767X
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1086/426773
OpenAlexW2037129499
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited14

The recent literature in philosophy of biology has drawn attention to the different sorts of explanations proffered in the biological sciences—we have molecular, biomedical, and evolutionary explanations. Do these explanations all have a common structure or relation that they seek to capture? This paper will answer in the negative. I defend a pluralistic and pragmatic approach to explanation. Using examples from classical population genetics, I argue that formal demonstrations, and even strictly “mathematical truths,” may serve as explanatory in different historical contexts

Epistemology · Evolutionary theory · Philosophy of science · Population · Population genetics · Relation (database) · Sociology · Computer Science · Demography · Evolution and Genetic Dynamics · Philosophy · Philosophy and History of Science

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