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A Quantitative Fitness Analysis Workflow
Published on: August 13, 2012
Could a "philosophical fitness landscape" foster Wilsonian consilience in biosystems debates?
1Mathematics, Engineering, Science and Health Division, Olympic College, 1600 Chester Avenue, Bremerton, WA 98337-1699, USA. rmemery@earthlink.net
Abstract:
A digital interpretation of Edward O. Wilson's principle of "consilience"-knowledge will grow out of interdisciplinary accommodation-is attempted by modeling it with 32 pixels on a "philosophical fitness landscape" (PFL). This approach partially answers a need expressed by Wilson to develop useful consilience methodology, including maps and other orientation devises. Responding also to his call for more imagination, a "virtual roundtable" discussion is convened among 13 scientific luminaries to debate the meaning of biological life and its origin. This is done to test (subjectively) the null hypothesis that a PFL would be insensitive to the diversity of perspectives engaged in such a debate. Rejecting the null hypothesis, an argument is made that an appropriate PFL might help to foster Wilsonian consilience in biosystems debates, where it is needed most.
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