Seçilim düzeyleri için üç tür eşdeğerlik: bilgi tabanlı bir yaklaşım

Özet (abstract)

Abstract The question of equivalence between levels of selection has been one of the most debated topics in evolutionary biology and philosophy of biology. Here I provide an analysis in terms of information. I argue that two hierarchical levels are equivalent only if their informational content overlaps perfectly; conversely, a level of description is indispensable only if it contains unique information not captured by alternative descriptions. I operationalize equivalence in terms of inter-translatability between descriptions and distinguish three relevant forms: state-space, kinematic, and dynamic equivalence. Using a minimal setup, I construct four descriptions by varying informational content—in particular, informational richness (coarse vs. fine)—and level of description (particle vs. collective). I examine the conditions under which descriptions at different levels can be equivalent. I show that some forms of equivalence can occur under a limited set of conditions. This information-based framework clarifies when claims of indispensability are warranted and offers a principled way to adjudicate the realist–conventionalist debate on levels of selection.

Yazarların özeti; kaynağından alınmıştır. Biology & Philosophy, 2026 · DOI ↗