Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas
281 | Samir Okasha on the Philosophy of Agency and Evolution
Jul 1, 2024
In this thought-provoking discussion, Samir Okasha, a leading philosopher of biology, tackles foundational questions about life and agency. He explores when matter becomes an agent and the origins of morality. The conversation delves into the interplay between altruism and selfishness, the significance of emergence in complex systems, and the implications of teleology in evolution. Okasha also examines mental representation across living beings and the philosophical complexities of consciousness, offering fresh insights into agency and artificial intelligence.
01:11:46
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Quick takeaways
- Foundation questions in biology require philosophy to define life, agency, and morality.
- Debates in evolutionary biology analyze levels of selection and their impact on altruistic behaviors.
Deep dives
Theoretical Foundations in Philosophy of Biology
Philosophy of biology delves into the foundations of the subject and its relationship with philosophy of science. Initially emerging in the 1970s, it sought to bridge methodological questions from physics-focused philosophy of science to the life sciences. Evolution, particularly natural selection, became a focal point, challenging traditional ideas and exploring concepts such as species, agents, and purpose.
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