Routledge Handbook of Evolution and Philosophy

<p>In recent years the relation between contemporary academic philosophy and evolutionary theory has become ever more active multifaceted and productive. The connection is a bustling two-way street. In one direction philosophers of biology make significant contributions to theoretical discussions about the nature of evolution (such as What is a species?; What is reproductive fitness?; Does selection operate primarily on genes?; and What is an evolutionary function?). In the other direction a broader group of philosophers appeal to Darwinian selection in an attempt to illuminate traditional philosophical puzzles (such as How could a brain-state have representational content?; Are moral judgments justified?; Why do we enjoy fiction?; and Are humans invariably selfish?). In grappling with these questions this interdisciplinary collection includes cutting-edge examples from both directions of traffic. The thirty contributions written exclusively for this volume are divided into six sections: The Nature of Selection; Evolution and Information; Human Nature; Evolution and Mind; Evolution and Ethics; and Evolution Aesthetics and Art. Many of the contributing philosophers and psychologists are international leaders in their fields.</p><p></p>