Explanatory goals and explanatory means in multilevel selection theory

Area of Science:

• Evolutionary Biology
• Theoretical Ecology
• Mathematical Biology

Background:

• Multilevel selection theory often conflates explanatory goals with means.
• Existing terminology uses
• multilevel selection 1
• and
• multilevel selection 2
• for both.
• This ambiguity impacts the understanding of group selection's role.

Purpose of the Study:

• To differentiate between explanatory goals and means in multilevel selection.
• To demonstrate the benefits of avoiding terminological conflation.
• To re-evaluate the definitions and applications of group selection.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual analysis of multilevel selection theory.
• Examination of Price's equation and contextual analysis.
• Distinction between explanatory goals (trait spread) and means (group selection types).

Main Results:

• Price's equation and contextual analysis do not inherently define group selection.
• The efficacy of these methods does not dictate group selection definitions.
• Multiple types of group selection can serve as valid explanatory means for individual trait evolution.

Conclusions:

• Separating explanatory means and goals enhances clarity in multilevel selection.
• Group selection definitions should be independent of specific statistical methods.
• A nuanced understanding of group selection types is crucial for evolutionary explanations.