AEE

I am developing a new, evolution-based cosmology that undoes the classic ontology-epistemology divide. Ontology is classically concerned with what exists, and epistemology with how we come to know what exists. Neither ontology nor epistemology, however, consider that existence and how we know about it are subjects of evolution. Rather than seeking eternal "truths" or identifying "essential" properties of "entities" in "the world," we need to come to terms with how existence changes incessantly through evolution. 

I refer to this framework as Applied Evolutionary Epistemology or AEE.  AEE is a methodology that identifies, analyzes, and evaluates units, levels, and mechanisms of evolution. Evolving units, levels, and mechanisms, in turn, give rise to spatiotemporal ontologies, which I refer to as biorealities — multiple hierarchically structured, life-based, and lived actualities that are entangled with space and time. 

AEE thus defines evolution in a selection-neutral way as the phenomenon whereby units evolve at levels of ontological hierarchies by mechanisms and processes. This definition provides a research methodology; namely, studying evolution entails identifying the units that develop, the levels at which they evolve, and the mechanisms and processes by which they evolve. Identified units, levels, and mechanisms must be analyzed to understand how they underlie the hierarchical structures that form reality. 

Expanding on existing hierarchy theories, I identify four kinds of hierarchies: aggregational, linear, nested, and interactional hierarchies. 

Hierarchy theories, moreover, provide a means to study evolutionary causation. Here, I expand upon existing research by in addition to the well-studied forms of upward and downward causation, examining what I identify as reticulate and self-causation. 

My approach builds upon evolutionary epistemology, which is a philosophical tradition that examines how natural selection enables the evolution of knowledge. Answers are sought by defining units and levels of selection. My approach is called "applied" evolutionary epistemology because it generalizes research on units, levels, and mechanisms toward non-Darwinian mechanisms and processes of evolution. 

Biorealities display a multitude of diverging and converging patterns in their mode and tempo of evolution. I'm particularly interested in the patterns of reticulation and rapid evolution.

Teleonomy as a problem of self-causation. (2023). Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 139, 4: 388–414. 

Hierarchies, Networks, and Causality: The Applied Evolutionary Epistemological Approach. (2021). Journal for General Philosophy of Science 52 (2): 313 - 334. 

On how Epistemology and Ontology Converge through Evolution: The Applied Evolutionary Epistemological Approach. (2018.) In: Wuppuluri S., Doria F. (eds) The Map and the Territory, Foreword by Sir Roger Penrose and Afterword by Dagfinn Føllesdal, pp. 533-569. The Frontiers collection. Springer, Cham.

Acquiring knowledge on species-specific biorealities: The applied evolutionary epistemological approach. (2017). With Michael Bradie. In: Joyce, R. (ed) The Routledge Handbook of Evolution and Philosophy, Routledge. 

Applied Evolutionary Epistemology: A new methodology to enhance interdisciplinary research between the human and natural sciences. (2012). Kairos, Journal of Philosophy and Science 4: 7-49.

Evolutionary epistemology as a scientific method: a new look upon the units and levels of evolution debate. (2010). Theory in Biosciences 129 (2-3): 167-182.

What are the units of language evolution? (2018). Topoi, 37(2), 235-253

What are the levels and mechanisms/processes of language evolution? (2017). Language Sciences 63: 12-43. 

Pointing and the Evolution of Language: An Applied Evolutionary Epistemological Approach. (2013). Humana Mente, Journal of Philosophical Studies 24: 1-26.

Selectionist Approaches in Evolutionary Linguistics: An Epistemological Analysis. (2012). International Studies in the Philosophy of Science 26 (1): 67–95. 

Combinatoriality and Compositionality in Everyday Primate Skills. (2024). Journal of Primatology  45, pages 563–588.

Biosemiotics and Applied Evolutionary Epistemology: A Comparison. (2021). With Marta Facoetti. In: Pagni E., Theisen Simanke R. (eds) Biosemiotics and Evolution. Interdisciplinary Evolution Research, vol 6. Springer, Cham.