Title: Holism, Individualism, and the Units of Selection
Abstract: The units of selection problem, as it is discussed within evolutionary theory, recapitulates some important elements in the dispute between methodological holism and methodological individualism. Holism and individualism have for a long time occupied favored positions in the stable of old warhorses owned and operated by philosophers of social science. These particular old warhorses are thought by many to be in retirement, although there is less than universal agreement about whether holism or individualism won the battle. Part of the point I will make about group versus individual selection is that biologists, would do well not to emulate certain aspects of the holism/individualism controversy.