Inferring Coevolution. Issue 4 (October 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lamm, Ehud; Kammar, Ohad
• Is Part Of: Philosophy of science. Volume 81:Issue 4(2014)
• Page Start: 592
• Page End: 611
• Publication Date: 2014-10
• Subjects: Science -- Periodicals; Science -- Philosophy; Science; Science -- Philosophy; Philosophie des sciences; Epistemology; Periodicals; 501
• DOI: 10.1086/678045
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1539-767X

Abstract

Abstract : We discuss two inference patterns for inferring the coevolution of two characters on the basis of their properties at a single point in time and determine when developmental interactions can be used to deduce evolutionary order. We discuss the use of the inference patterns we present in the biological literature and assess the arguments' validity, the degree of support they give to the evolutionary conclusion, how they can be corroborated with empirical evidence, and to what extent they suggest new empirically addressable questions. We suggest that the developmental argument is uniquely applicable to cognitive-cultural coevolution.