Rethinking Meaning and Purpose in Evolution

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The chapter explores the evolution of meaning from Darwin to Derrida, emphasizing Derrida's perspective that meaning is continuously rewritten through various interpretations. It discusses the interplay of philosophical assumptions in biology, particularly focusing on the concept of teleology traced back to Aristotle. The dialogue delves into how Darwin's theory of evolution reshaped the notion of purpose in nature, illustrating how organisms can exhibit purposeful behavior without predetermined goals.

Aristotle conceived of the world in terms of teleological “final causes”; Darwin, or so the story goes, erased purpose and meaning from the world, replacing them with a bloodless scientific algorithm. But should we abandon all talk of meanings and purposes, or instead conceptualize them as emergent rather than fundamental? Philosophers (and former Mindscape guests) Alex Rosenberg and Daniel Dennett recently had an exchange on just this subject, and today we’re going to hear from a working scientist. David Haig is a geneticist and evolutionary biologist who argues that it’s perfectly sensible to perceive meaning as arising through the course of evolution, even if evolution itself is purposeless.

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David Haig received his Ph.D. in biology from Macquarie University. He is currently the George Putnam Professor of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology at Harvard University. His research focuses on evolutionary aspects of cooperation, competition, and kinship, including the kinship theory of genomic imprinting. His new book is From Darwin to Derrida: Selfish Genes, Social Selves, and the Meanings of Life.

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