A general ‘selection theory’, as implemented in biological evolution and in social belief-transmission-with-modification in science
✍ Scribed by Donald T. Campbell
- Publisher
- Springer Netherlands
- Year
- 1988
- Tongue
- English
- Weight
- 477 KB
- Volume
- 3
- Category
- Article
- ISSN
- 0169-3867
No coin nor oath required. For personal study only.
✦ Synopsis
When scientist's formulate new ideas, it seems unlikely that they do so without considering the constraints which the theory must satisfy. Hull's (1988) discussion of "Lamarckism" and "intentionality" downplays the disanalogy between chance mutations and scientists' intentions in solving problems: Right now genetic mutations occur by "chance." However, in the very near future, biologists will be able to generate any genetic mutations they see fit. When that occurs, intentionality will play the same role in both biological and conceptual change. I doubt that in such an event critics will instantly become converted. If I am correct in my guess, then the role of intentionality in generating novelty must not have been all that important of an objection in the first place.