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More on how and why: a response to commentaries.

Kevin N Laland¹, John Odling-Smee, William Hoppitt

¹School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK.

Biology & Philosophy

|August 24, 2013

Summary

This response addresses commentary on evolutionary biology, clarifying concepts like ultimate causation and reciprocal causation. It explores development, phenotypic plasticity, and the need for an extended evolutionary synthesis.

Keywords:

Developmental bias Developmental plasticity Extended evolutionary synthesis Mayr Niche construction Proximate causation Ultimate causation

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Area of Science:

Evolutionary biology
Causation in biology

Background:

Commentary received on a previous article raised significant points regarding evolutionary theory.
Key themes include causation, development, and the scope of evolutionary synthesis.

Purpose of the Study:

To address major themes raised by commentators.
To clarify the concepts of ultimate causation and the proximate-ultimate causation dichotomy.
To discuss the role of development and phenotypic plasticity in evolution and the need for an extended evolutionary synthesis.

Main Methods:

The authors provide a response to critical commentary.
The response focuses on thematic analysis of the points raised by commentators.
Conceptual clarification and discussion are the primary methods.

Main Results:

Identified issues with the term 'ultimate causation' and the proximate-ultimate dichotomy.
Clarified the meaning of reciprocal causation.
Highlighted the importance of development and phenotypic plasticity in evolutionary processes.

Conclusions:

The dichotomy between proximate and ultimate causation requires re-evaluation.
Reciprocal causation needs precise definition within evolutionary contexts.
An extended evolutionary synthesis is necessary to incorporate development and plasticity more fully.