Philosophy of Biological and Cognitive Sciences

Matteo Mameli and David Papineau

Tuesdays 12-1.30 Lecture Room KCL Dept of Philosophy

KCL/LSE MSc in PHS

Semester 1

Essay Suggestions

1. What is the ‘units of selection’ debate about?

2. Are genes the only ‘replicators’?

3. What is ‘group selection’ and does it occur in nature?

4. When is it possible to explain something by citing one if its effects?

5. What are biological functions?

6. What if anything is at issue between biological adaptationists and their opponents?

7. Can representation be explained naturalistically?

8. ‘Representation depends on histories of natural selection.’ Discuss.

9. Are special sciences consistent with non-reductive physicalism?

10. Is the notion of innateness useful?

11. Is the Baldwin Effect of any biological interest?

12. What is genetic drift and is it important?