The course aims to
- acquire the fundamental concepts of evolutionary biology, such as natural selection, variation, heredity, adaptation, plasticity, reductionism and genocentrism
- analyse the objectives and limitations of evolutionary explanations
- understand and discuss the main debates in evolutionary biology;
- apply the analytical tools of philosophical reasoning in the discussion of problems related to evolutionary sciences;
- critically evaluate and discuss the social and cultural implications of debates on evolution in a linguistically appropriate manner.
- acquire the fundamental concepts of evolutionary biology, such as natural selection, variation, heredity, adaptation, plasticity, reductionism and genocentrism
- analyse the objectives and limitations of evolutionary explanations
- understand and discuss the main debates in evolutionary biology;
- apply the analytical tools of philosophical reasoning in the discussion of problems related to evolutionary sciences;
- critically evaluate and discuss the social and cultural implications of debates on evolution in a linguistically appropriate manner.
teacher profile teaching materials
The first part focuses on the characteristics and limitations of evolutionary explanations, with particular reference to frameworks from ethology, sociobiology, and evolutionary psychology. Principles and methods of cultural evolutionary theory will be introduced and critically examined.
The second part of the course addresses how human behavioral and mental diversity is explained from an evolutionary perspective, especially regarding social interaction and cultural learning. Theoretical assumptions and approaches to cognition proposed by various theories of human evolution will be examined and discussed.
Understanding the evolutionary origins of human behavior and psychology is crucial for engaging thoughtfully with many contemporary debates, ranging from social inequalities and educational policies to the new challenges posed by technology and multicultural coexistence.
1. Dupré, John. Introduction and chapter 3 How much must evolution explain? Eds. (2001) Human Nature and the Limits of Science. Oxford University Press.
2. Griffiths, Paul E. "Ethology, Sociobiology, and Evolutionary Psychology." A Companion to the Philosophy of Biology (2007): 393-414.
3. Mesoudi, Alex, Andrew Whiten, and Kevin N. Laland. "Towards a unified science of cultural evolution." Behavioral and brain sciences 29.4 (2006): 329-347.
4. Mesoudi, Alex. "Cultural evolution: Integrating psychology, evolution and culture." Current Opinion in Psychology 7 (2016): 17-22.
5. Heyes, Cecilia. "Précis of cognitive gadgets: The cultural evolution of thinking." Behavioral and Brain Sciences 42 (2019): e169.
6. Laland, Kevin N., and William Hoppitt. "Do animals have culture?." Evolutionary Anthropology: Issues, News, and Reviews: Issues, News, and Reviews 12.3 (2003): 150-159.
7. Clatterbuck, Hayley. "The logical problem and the theoretician's dilemma." Philosophy and phenomenological research 97.2 (2018): 322-350.
Mutuazione: 20711651 Philosophy of biology in Scienze filosofiche LM-78 R TRAMACERE ANTONELLA
Programme
The course is structured in two parts.The first part focuses on the characteristics and limitations of evolutionary explanations, with particular reference to frameworks from ethology, sociobiology, and evolutionary psychology. Principles and methods of cultural evolutionary theory will be introduced and critically examined.
The second part of the course addresses how human behavioral and mental diversity is explained from an evolutionary perspective, especially regarding social interaction and cultural learning. Theoretical assumptions and approaches to cognition proposed by various theories of human evolution will be examined and discussed.
Understanding the evolutionary origins of human behavior and psychology is crucial for engaging thoughtfully with many contemporary debates, ranging from social inequalities and educational policies to the new challenges posed by technology and multicultural coexistence.
Core Documentation
The following academic articles will be read and critically discussed in the class.1. Dupré, John. Introduction and chapter 3 How much must evolution explain? Eds. (2001) Human Nature and the Limits of Science. Oxford University Press.
2. Griffiths, Paul E. "Ethology, Sociobiology, and Evolutionary Psychology." A Companion to the Philosophy of Biology (2007): 393-414.
3. Mesoudi, Alex, Andrew Whiten, and Kevin N. Laland. "Towards a unified science of cultural evolution." Behavioral and brain sciences 29.4 (2006): 329-347.
4. Mesoudi, Alex. "Cultural evolution: Integrating psychology, evolution and culture." Current Opinion in Psychology 7 (2016): 17-22.
5. Heyes, Cecilia. "Précis of cognitive gadgets: The cultural evolution of thinking." Behavioral and Brain Sciences 42 (2019): e169.
6. Laland, Kevin N., and William Hoppitt. "Do animals have culture?." Evolutionary Anthropology: Issues, News, and Reviews: Issues, News, and Reviews 12.3 (2003): 150-159.
7. Clatterbuck, Hayley. "The logical problem and the theoretician's dilemma." Philosophy and phenomenological research 97.2 (2018): 322-350.
Attendance
Active participation in class is strongly recommended. The exam can be taken either as an attending or a non-attending student. Students who choose to take the exam as non-attending are kindly asked to contact the instructor in advance.Type of evaluation
Assessment will consist of an oral examination conducted in English, aimed at evaluating the student’s critical understanding of the course topics and thorough knowledge of the assigned readings. Students who, for any reason, wish to take the exam in Italian are kindly asked to contact the instructor and motivate their request.