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Innateness and Canalization

Ariew, Andre (1996) Innateness and Canalization. [Conference Paper]

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Abstract

Cognitive scientists often employ the notion of innateness without defining it. The issue is, how is innateness defined in biology? Some critics contend that innateness is not a legitimate concept in biology. In this paper I will argue that it is. However, neither the concept of high heritability nor the concept of flat norm of reaction (two popular accounts in the biology literature) define innateness. An adequate account is found in developmental biology. I propose that innateness is best defined in terms of C. H. Waddington's concept of canalization.

Item Type:Conference Paper
Keywords:innateness, canalization, Waddington, heritability, norms of reaction
Subjects:Biology > Population Biology
Philosophy > Philosophy of Science
ID Code:330
Deposited By: Ariew, Andre
Deposited On:18 Jun 1998
Last Modified:11 Mar 2011 08:53

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