Science and the biological foundations of psychology

Darwin
Evolution: View that new species emerge from old species. This is NOT Darwins contribution. Natural Selection: a way to EXPLAIN the evolutionary pattern in nature. This IS Darwins contribution. Evidence for evolution is massive: virtually certain. Darwins explanation for evolution is far less certain, but it is still the best explanation we have. For Darwin, evolution results from more than one

Darwins argument for evolution via natural selection

We observe variations within species. More offspring are produced than the environment can support. Taken from Economics (Malthus). So the environment selects which offspring will survive to reproduce. Analogy: Artificial Selection. The earth is very old. Taken from Geology (Lyell). Therefore, over time, new species could arise from old species.

Points to remember about Natural Selection

Huge extrapolation from intra-species variation; problem of regression to the mean. Very hard to falsify. (see Text, pp. 68-69, Limits on functionalist thinking) Not based on experiments No math No special method beyond a simple, common-

Some implications for understanding science

Value of converging many different lines of evidence, theories & common-sense arguments. Cant always decide if something is or is not science via a pre-established canon of scientific method. Still not clear what science is and how distinct it is from other human activities. Perhaps most fundamental attitude behind science is qualified skepticism, eg. toward your own beliefs,

Ultimate & Proximate explanations

Ultimate Explanations

Functional Top-down Assumes evolutionary adaptation Often less certain but more satisfying

Proximate Explanations

Descriptive Bottom-up Can be used without assuming evolution Often more certain but less satisfying

Example

Why do male songbirds sing in the spring?