The Role of Philosophy of Science in the Research Program of Evolution

Document Type : Research Paper

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Abstract

Referring briefly to the effects of philosophy in the formation of Darwin's theory of evolution, this paper will survey the relationship between philosophers of biology and evolutionary biologists in the current age. The role of the philosopher of science in the streams of science, and therefore the role of the philosopher of biology in the evolutionary research program is more than just clarifying concepts and definitions, and revealing the hidden presuppositions; it rather includes introducing the methodological equivalents of some metaphysical theories to scientists, and, in other words, offering some methodological programs based on metaphysical presuppositions. By pointing at the problems, philosophers of biology can also help scientists in the process of criticizing the methodology (not the content).
 

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References

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