Models of Group Selection

Bibliographic Data

ID10705442
AuthorsDeborah G Mayo (0000-0001-8252-9968, Virginia Tech), Norman L Gilinsky (Virginia Tech)
Year1987
Volume54
Issue4
Pages515-538
Publication date1987-12-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePhilosophy of Science (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0031-8248 • E-ISSN: 1539-767X
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1086/289403
OpenAlexW2027738628
LanguageEN
Citations received6
References cited15

The key problem in the controversy over group selection is that of defining a criterion of group selection that identifies a distinct causal process that is irreducible to the causal process of individual selection. We aim to clarify this problem and to formulate an adequate model of irreducible group selection. We distinguish two types of group selection models, labeling them type I and type II models. Type I models are invoked to explain differences among groups in their respective rates of production of contained individuals. Type II models are invoked to explain differences among groups in their respective rates of production of distinct new groups. Taking Elliott Sober's model as an exemplar, we argue that although type I models have some biological importance—they force biologists to consider the role of group properties in influencing the fitness of organisms—they fail to identify a distinct group-level causal selection process. Type II models if properly framed, however, do identify a group-level causal selection process that is not reducible to individual selection. We propose such a type II model and apply it to some of the major candidates for group selection

Biology · Causal model · Group (periodic table) · Group selection · Selection (genetic algorithm) · Statistics · Type (biology) · Artificial Intelligence · Chemistry · Computer Science · Ecology · Evolution and Genetic Dynamics · Evolutionary Game Theory and Cooperation · Mathematics · Plant and animal studies · Psychology

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