Computing the Extended Synthesis: Mapping the Dynamics and Conceptual Structure of the Evolvability Research Front

Abstract

Since the late 1970s, the field of evolutionary biology has undergone empirical and theoretical developments that have threaten the pillars of evolutionary theory. Some evolutionary biologists have recently argued that evolutionary biology is not experiencing a paradigm shift, but an expansion of the modern synthesis. Philosophers of biology focusing on scientific practices seem to agree with this pluralistic interpretation and have argued that evolutionary theory should rather be seen as an organized network of multiple problem agendas with diverse disciplinary contributors. In this paper, I apply a computational analysis to study the dynamics and conceptual structure of one of the main emerging problem agendas in evolutionary biology: evolvability. I have used CiteSpace, an application for visualizing and analyzing trends and patterns in scientific literature that applies cocitation analysis to identify scientific specialities. I analyze the main clusters of the evolvability cocitation network with the aim to identify the main research lines and the interdisciplinary relationships that structure this research front. I then compare these results with the existing classifications of evolvability concepts, and identify four main conceptual tensions within the definitions of evolvability. Finally, I argue that there is a lot of usefulness in the inconsistency in which the term evolvability is used in biological research. I claim that evolvability research has set up "trading zones" in biology that make possible interdisciplinary exchanges.

Evolutionary Innovations and Where to Find Them: Routes to Open-Ended Evolution in Natural and Artificial Systems

“…25 Biological function can then be seen as purposeful behaviour, where purpose comes about through evolutionary selection upon evolving organisations. 26 To give a concrete example in a mechanical context, imagine that we have one organisation comprising a wound spring and a cogwheel both attached to an axle, situated close to another organisation comprising a cogwheel attached to another axle. The position of the two organisations is such that the teeth of the two cogwheels interlock.…”

Early usage and meaning of evolvability

“…However, Thomson leaves room for the interpretation that variation and evolvability are separate things and not necessarily inextricably joined. As a side note, Rosa () in her review of evolvability considered Thomson () the earliest usage of evolvability.…”

“…Discussion of human cultural origins also spurred a tautology in the discussion of evolvability as Diener () reverted back to Hanson's sentiments and a thought pattern mirrored outside of anthropology by Braterman, ), who reiterated Fox's () thoughts on nonliving variation restricting potential future variation. Just prior to modern considerations (reviewed by Pigliucci, ; Brown, , Rosa, ), Arnold et al () and Maynard Smith () formally acknowledged the inherent variation in evolutionary potential (hence relative evolvability) and the imposition of extrinsic constraints, respectively.…”

“…We used Google Scholar to quantify trends in the use of evolvability up to 1990. We stopped at 1990 because that is the decade where both Rosa () and Brown () begin their reviews. We searched the literature cited of relevant papers and followed threads.…”

“…Discussion of human cultural origins also spurred a tautology in the discussion of evolvability as Diener (1980) reverted back to Hanson's sentiments and a thought pattern mirrored outside of anthropology by Braterman, 1986), who reiterated Fox's (1974) thoughts on nonliving variation restricting potential future variation. Just prior to modern considerations (reviewed by Pigliucci, 2008;Brown, 2014, Rosa, 2017, Arnold et al (1989) and…”