Is empirical imagination a constraint on adaptationist theory construction?

Article

Dickins, T. and Dickins, D. 2002. Is empirical imagination a constraint on adaptationist theory construction? Behavioral and Brain Sciences: An International Journal of Current Research and Theory with Open Peer Commentary. 25 (4), pp. 515-516. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0140525X02320090
TypeArticle
TitleIs empirical imagination a constraint on adaptationist theory construction?
AuthorsDickins, T. and Dickins, D.
Abstract

Andrews et al. present a form of instrumental adaptationism that is designed to test the hypothesis that a given trait is an adaptation. This epistemological commitment aims to make clear statements about behavioural natural kinds. The instrumental logic is sound, but it is the limits of our empirical imagination that can cause problems for theory construction.

Research GroupBehavioural Biology group
PublisherCambridge University Press
JournalBehavioral and Brain Sciences: An International Journal of Current Research and Theory with Open Peer Commentary
ISSN0140-525X
Electronic1469-1825
Publication dates
PrintAug 2002
Online11 Aug 2003
Publication process dates
Deposited19 Feb 2013
Output statusPublished
Accepted author manuscript
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File Access Level
Open
Additional information

Type: Brief Report
Citation: Dickins, T.E. & Dickins, D.W. (2002) Is empirical imagination a constraint on adaptationist theory construction?. Behavioral and Brain Sciences 25 (4) 515-516.

Web address (URL)https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/behavioral-and-brain-sciences/article/abs/is-empirical-imagination-a-constraint-on-adaptationist-theory-construction/1AB3FA71743EC2801EDBBC0234C2201D
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1017/S0140525X02320090
Scopus EID2-s2.0-0038688831
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LanguageEnglish
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