Adaptationism and Optimality

doi:10.1017/CBO9780511609084

The debate over the relative importance of natural selection as compared to other forces affecting the evolution of organisms is a long-standing and central controversy in evolutionary biology. The theory of adaptationism argues that natural selection contains sufficient explanatory power in itself to account for all evolution. However, there are differing views about the efficiency of the adaptation model of explanation. If the adaptationism theory is applied, are energy and resources being used to their optimum? This book presents an up-to-date view of this controversy and reflects the dramatic changes in our understanding of evolution that have occurred in the last twenty years. The volume combines contributions from biologists and philosophers, and offers a systematic treatment of foundational, conceptual, and methodological issues surrounding the theory of adaptationism. The essays examine recent developments in topics such as phylogenetic analysis, the theory of optimality and ess models, and methods of testing models.

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Contents

Frontmatter
pp i-viii
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Contents
pp ix-x
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Contributors
pp xi-xiv
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Acknowledgments
pp xv-xvi
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Introduction
pp 1-23
- By Steven Hecht Orzack, Elliott Sober
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1 - A Likelihood Framework for the Phylogenetic Analysis of Adaptation
pp 24-44
- By David A. Baum, Michael J. Donoghue
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2 - Adaptation, Phylogenetic Inertia, and the Method of Controlled Comparisons
pp 45-63
- By Steven Hecht Orzack, Elliott Sober
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3 - Optimality and Phylogeny: A Critique of Current Thought
pp 64-113
- By Hudson Kern Reeve, Paul W. Sherman
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4 - Fit of Form and Function, Diversity of Life, and Procession of Life as an Evolutionary Game
pp 114-160
- By Joel S. Brown
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5 - Optimality and Evolutionary Stability under Short-Term and Long-Term Selection
pp 161-190
- By Ilan Eshel, Marcus W. Feldman
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7 - Is Optimality Over the Hill? The Fitness Landscapes of Idealized Organisms
pp 219-241
- By George W. Gilchrist, Joel G. Kingsolver
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8 - Adaptation, Optimality, and the Meaning of Phenotypic Variation in Natural Populations
pp 242-272
- By Kenneth J. Halama, David N. Reznick
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9 - Adaptationism, Optimality Models, and Tests of Adaptive Scenarios
pp 273-302
- By Peter Abrams
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10 - Adaptation and Development: On the Lack of Common Ground
pp 303-334
- By Ron Amundson
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11 - Three Kinds of Adaptationism
pp 335-357
- By Peter Godfrey-Smith
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12 - Adaptation, Adaptationism, and Optimality
pp 358-388
- By Egbert Giles Leigh, Jr.
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Index
pp 389-404
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Contents

Frontmatter
pp i-viii

Contents
pp ix-x

Contributors
pp xi-xiv

Acknowledgments
pp xv-xvi

Introduction
pp 1-23

1 - A Likelihood Framework for the Phylogenetic Analysis of Adaptation
pp 24-44

2 - Adaptation, Phylogenetic Inertia, and the Method of Controlled Comparisons
pp 45-63

3 - Optimality and Phylogeny: A Critique of Current Thought
pp 64-113

4 - Fit of Form and Function, Diversity of Life, and Procession of Life as an Evolutionary Game
pp 114-160

5 - Optimality and Evolutionary Stability under Short-Term and Long-Term Selection
pp 161-190

6 - Selective Regime and Fig Wasp Sex Ratios: Toward Sorting Rigor from Pseudo-Rigor in Tests of Adaptation
pp 191-218

7 - Is Optimality Over the Hill? The Fitness Landscapes of Idealized Organisms
pp 219-241

8 - Adaptation, Optimality, and the Meaning of Phenotypic Variation in Natural Populations
pp 242-272

9 - Adaptationism, Optimality Models, and Tests of Adaptive Scenarios
pp 273-302

10 - Adaptation and Development: On the Lack of Common Ground
pp 303-334

11 - Three Kinds of Adaptationism
pp 335-357

12 - Adaptation, Adaptationism, and Optimality
pp 358-388

Index
pp 389-404

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