Newtonian Forces and Evolutionary Biology: A Problem and Solution for Extending the Force Interpretation

Abstract

There has recently been a renewed interest in the “force” interpretation of evolutionary biology. In this article, I present the general structure of the arguments for the force interpretation and identify a problem in its overly permissive conditions for being a Newtonian force. I then attempt a solution that (1) helps to illuminate the difference between forces and other types of causes and (2) makes room for random genetic drift as a force. In particular, I argue that forces are not differentin kindfrom other types of causes but rather that forces are situated on a continuum of causes distinguished by their unifying power.

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