Assignment 13 (due 4/29)

Do you think that there might be ecological laws in Lange's sense?

Assignment 12 (due 4/22)

Do you think Lange successfully rebuts Rosenberg’s contention that his (and others’) attempt to “redefine the concept of law” in biology fails? Explain either way.

Assignment 11 (due 4/15)

How do you think Lange would respond to Beatty's argument that there are no distinctively biological laws?

Assignment 10 (due 4/1)

Formalize Kitcher's argument against reductionism, describing the premises, general principles, and important background assumptions he draws upon as clearly as you can.

Assignment 9 (due 3/25)

What conception of the environment does Lewontin appear to be targeting in his discussion. Describe it in some detail and explain what he believes is wrong with this conception. What view of the environment does Lewontin advocate?

Assignment 8 (due 3/11)

Respond to two to three study questions for Meeting 9.

Assingment 7 (due 3/4)

One initially plausible objection to my SPC account of natural kinds concerns the specific notion of stability: doesn't this account imply that there can be no natural kinds of unstable elements? For instance, am I committed to the thesis that Uranium-238 is not a natural kind? Surely this would be a good reason for rejecting my account. Do me a favor and construct a response on my behalf.

If you cannot see that this objection has a good response, try to develop it in the most forceful way you can and explain why you do not believe that a response is possible.

Assignment 6 (due 2/25)

Pick two of the study questions for Meeting 7 to answer in no more than one sheet total (it may be double-sided).

Assignment 5 (due 2/18)

Summarize Kitcher's basic argument for species pluralism as carefully and precisely as you can. If space allows, comment on any potential weak points or premises that appear to need further discussion or support.

Assignment 4 (due 2/11)

(a) Carefully describe the difference between "typological" and "population" thinking.
(b) From what you gather in the Dupré reading, in which camps would you expect Dupré and Putnam to place their allegiances?

Assignment 3 (due 2/4)

Neander discusses three objections to the selected effects view of functions. Choose one to discuss. Carefully explain what the objection is and critically discuss how Neander purports to solve it.

Assignment 2 (due on 1/28)

Pick three of the study questions for Meeting 3 to answer in no more than one sheet total (it may be double-sided).

Assignment 1 (due 2/21)

Please write no more than one sheet (two-sides if you must) in response to the following questions. Be succinct but complete. Strive for clarity and detail, keeping your prose as simple as possible.

1) What, precisely, is the circularity worry that many believe Darwin's theory faces? Summarize it and how Mills and Beatty purport to solve it.

2) Describe the difference between 'adaptation' and 'exaptation'.