PHILOSOPHY 100 (STOLZE)

Notes on Tim Lewens, Darwin

Tim Lewens

• Tim Lewens is University Lecturer in History and Philosophy of Science at Cambridge University

• An Interview with Lewens is available at: <http://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/content/blogcategory/39/93/>

Darwin, Introduction and Chapter 2

• Darwin and Naturalism

• The History of Philosophy and Philosophy Proper

Darwin as a “Philosophical Naturalist”

• He sought scientific explanations for patterns observed in nature, e.g., why there are the precise species that are observed on the Earth.

• He sought evolutionary explanations to problems regarding politics ethics, and psychology:

• “While Darwin rarely suggests that his natural historical reflections should wholly replace philosophical approaches to ethics, or the emotions, he does believe that philosophy is blind unless it is guided by evolutionary insights…. Darwin’s hope is that an evolutionary perspective--the perspective that recognizes that species are modified versions of common ancestors--will provide us with some fixed points that can anchor and discipline philosophical speculations regarding human nature and the human condition” (pp. 3-4).

Philosophy and History

Whereas the historical problem is how to understand what Darwin thought in his own cultural and intellectual context, the philosophical problem is to see to what extent Darwin’s ideas are plausible and continue to be relevant.

Darwin’s Argument for Evolution by Natural Section

(I) Assume that individual organisms in a species vary.

(II) Assume that there is in nature a severe struggle for life.

(III) So, it is very likely that some of the variations we see between individuals within a species will promote their bearers’ welfare; and

(IV) Beneficial variations of the kind will be favorable in the struggle for existence.

(V) Now, whichever organisms have variations favorable in the struggle for existence will, ipso facto, have greater chances of living longer, and consequently, of leaving offspring, than do others without these beneficial variations.

(VI) Assume that offspring tend to resemble their parents.

(VII) So, those variations which better equip organisms in the struggle for existence will also be the ones that are preserved in the offspring generation.