Toward a Unified Foundation for Evolutionary Biology.

My project aims to offer a new way of conceptualizing the foundations of evolutionary biology. The framework I am developing, called the “life−history space” account will address the disunified nature of contemporary evolutionary theory by offering a unified conceptual foundation. What is unique about the life−history space account is that it considers the space of possible life histories—the lives that organisms could potentially live—as well as their actual lives. From this space of life histories and the properties they bear, I am able to derive a unique set of core evolutionary concepts. The life history space account is important because from its singular fundamental concepts of fitness, drift, etc., one can derive the diversity of ways that these concepts are standardly understood, showing their underlying unity. It is also important because it will urge a reconfiguring of a whole suite of related concepts and debates.